I laughed when Jane and Amy Faulkner testify at Deeds's sanity hearing.
Mr. Cedar: Do you know the defendant, Mr. Longfellow Deeds? Jane: (long pause) Oh yes, yes, of course we know him. Mr. Cedar: How long have you known him? Jane: (Jane whispers to Amy, Amy whispers back) Since he was born. Amy: Yes, Elsie Taggart was the midwife. Jane: He was a seven months' baby. Mr. Cedar: Thank you, that's, that's fine. Do you see him very often? Jane: (Jane whispers to Amy; Amy whispers back) Most every day. Amy: Sometimes twice. Judge: Must we have the echo? Mr. Cedar: Suppose you just answer, Miss Jane. Now, will you tell the court what everybody at home thinks of Longfellow Deeds? Jane: (pause; then Jane whispers to Amy; Amy whispers back) They think he's pixilated. Amy: Oh, yes, pixilated. Judge: He's what? Mr. Cedar: What was that you said he was? Jane: Pixilated. Amy: Mm-hmm. Mr. Cedar: Now that's rather a strange word to us, Miss Jane. Can you tell the court exactly what it means? Board Member: Perhaps I can explain, Your Honor. The word "pixilated" is an early American expression derived from the word "pixies," meaning elves. They would say the pixies had got him. As we nowadays would say, a man is "barmy." Judge: Oh. Is that correct? Jane: Mm-hmm. Amy: Mm-hmm.
