It is today
fatal to a lawyer's case if he be not invariably gentle and
courteous with a female witness, and this is true even if she
be a veritable Sapphira.
In spite of these limitations, which, of course, affect the
testimony of almost every person, irrespective of sex, women,
with the possible exception of children, make the most
remarkable witnesses to be found in the courts. They are
almost invariably quick and positive in their answers, keenly
alive to the dramatic possibilities of the situation, and with
an unerring instinct for a trap or compromising admission.
A woman will inevitably couple with a categorical answer to a
question, if in truth she can be induced to give one at all, a
statement of damaging character to her opponent. For example:
"Do you know the defendant?"
"Yes, to my cost!"
Or
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-three,--old enough to have known better than to trust
him."
Forced to make an admission which would seem to hurt her
position, the explanation, instead of being left for the
re-direct examination of her own counsel, is instantly added
to her answer then and there.
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