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Counsel for the Prosecution: If it please the court, this case should go over. The defendant, Mr. Tarkington, is not dead yet.

Mr. Howells: I do not know how my colleagues feel, but I have no objection to considering the work of Mr. Tarkington while he is alive.

Mr. Follett: I think it would be better if we deferred the consideration of Mr. Tarkington until it is a little older.

Counsel for the Defense (in this case Mr. Robert Cortes Holliday, biographer of Tarkington): “It”?

Mr. Follett: I mean his work, or works. Perhaps I should have said “them.”

Mr. Holliday: “They,” not “them.” Exception. And “are” instead of “is.” Gentlemen, I have no wish to prejudice the case for my client, but I must point out that if you wait until he is a little older he may be dead.

Mr. Boynton: So much the better. We can then consider his works in their complete state and with reference to his entire life.

Mr. Holliday: But it would then be impossible to give any assistance to Mr. Tarkington. The chance to influence his work would have passed.