“No.  It is a childish question.”

But Carson was not to be warded off; like a terrier he sprang again and again: 

“Why, sir, did you mention that this boy was extremely ugly?”

“For this reason.  If I were asked why I did not kiss a door-mat, I should say because I do not like to kiss door-mats."...

“Why did you mention his ugliness?”

“It is ridiculous to imagine that any such thing could have occurred under any circumstances.”

“Then why did you mention his ugliness, I ask you?”

“Because you insulted me by an insulting question.”

“Was that a reason why you should say the boy was ugly?”

(Here the witness began several answers almost inarticulately and finished none of them.  His efforts to collect his ideas were not aided by Mr. Carson’s sharp staccato repetition:  “Why? why? why did you add that?”) At last the witness answered: 

“You sting me and insult me and at times one says things flippantly.”

Then came the re-examination by Sir Edward Clarke, which brought out very clearly the hatred of Lord Alfred Douglas for his father.  Letters were read and in one letter Queensberry declared that Oscar had plainly shown the white feather when he called on him.  One felt that this was probably true:  Queensberry’s word on such a point could be accepted.

In the re-examination Sir Edward Clarke occupied himself chiefly with two youths, Shelley and Conway, who had been passed over casually by Mr. Carson.  In answer to his questions Oscar stated that Shelley was a youth in the employ of Mathews and Lane, the publishers.  Shelley had very good taste in literature and a great desire for culture.  Shelley had read all his books and liked them.  Shelley had dined with him and his wife at Tite Street.  Shelley was in every way a gentleman.  He had never gone with Charlie Parker to the Savoy Hotel.

A juryman wanted to know at this point whether the witness was aware of the nature of the article, “The Priest and the Acolyte,” in The Chameleon.

“I knew nothing of it; it came as a terrible shock to me.”

This answer contrasted strangely with the light tone of his reply to the same question on the previous day.

The re-examination did not improve Oscar’s position.  It left all the facts where they were, and at least a suspicion in every mind.

Sir Edward Clarke intimated that this concluded the evidence for the prosecution, whereupon Mr. Carson rose to make the opening speech for the defence.  I was shivering with apprehension.