(MEEKER brings JESSE DUNLAP to the stand. He is a rugged, righteous-looking man.)

MEEKER

State your name and occupation.

DUNLAP

Jesse H. Dunlap. Farmer and cabinetmaker.

DAVENPORT

Do you believe in the Bible, Mr. Dunlap?

DUNLAP

(Vigorously)

I believe in the Holy Word of God. And I believe in Matthew Harrison Brady!

(There is some applause, and a few scattered “Amens.” BRADY waves acceptance.)

DAVENPORT

This man is acceptable to the prosecution.

JUDGE

Very well, Mr. Drummond?

DRUMMOND

(Quietly, without rising)

No questions. Not acceptable.

BRADY

(Annoyed)

Does Mr. Drummond refuse this man a place on the jury simply because he believes in the Bible?

DRUMMOND

If you find an Evolutionist in this town, you can refuse him.

BRADY

(Angrily)

I object to the defense attorney rejecting a worthy citizen without so much as asking him a question!

DRUMMOND

(Agreeably)

All right. I’ll ask him a question. (Saunters over to DUNLAP) How are you?

DUNLAP

(A little surprised)

Kinda hot.

DRUMMOND

So am I. Excused.

(DUNLAP looks at the JUDGE, confused.)

JUDGE

You are excused from jury duty, Mr. Dunlap. You may step down.

(DUNLAP goes back and joins the spectators, a little miffed.)

BRADY

(Piously)

I object to the note of levity which the counsel for the defense is introducing into these proceedings.

JUDGE

The bench agrees with you in spirit, Colonel Brady.

DRUMMOND

(Rising angrily)

And I object to all this damned “Colonel” talk. I am not familiar with Mr. Brady’s military record.

JUDGE

Well—he was made an Honorary Colonel in our State Militia. The day he arrived in Hillsboro.

DRUMMOND

The use of this title prejudices the case of my client: it calls up a picture of the prosecution, astride a white horse, ablaze in the uniform of a militia colonel, with all the forces of right and righteousness marshaled behind him.

JUDGE

What can we do?

DRUMMOND

Break him. Make him a private. I have no serious objection to the honorary title of “Private Brady.”

(There is a buzz of reaction. The JUDGE gestures for the MAYOR to come over for a hurried, whispered conference.)

MAYOR

(After some whispering)

Well, we can’t take it back—! (There is another whispered exchange. Then the MAYOR steps gingerly toward DRUMMOND) By—by authority of—well, I’m sure the Governor won’t have any objection—I hereby appoint you, Mr. Drummond, a temporary Honorary Colonel in the State Militia.

DRUMMOND

(Shaking his head, amused)

Gentlemen, what can I say? It is not often in a man’s life that he attains the exalted rank of “temporary Honorary Colonel.”

MAYOR

It will be made permanent, of course, pending the arrival of the proper papers over the Governor’s signature.

DRUMMOND

(Looking at the floor)

I thank you.

JUDGE

Colonel Brady. Colonel Drummond. You will examine the next venireman.

(MEEKER brings GEORGE SILLERS to the Stand.)

MEEKER

State your name and occupation.

SILLERS

George Sillers. I work at the feed store.

DAVENPORT

Tell me, sir. Would you call yourself a religious man?

SILLERS

I guess I’m as religious as the next man.