Requiem for a Nun

226 WILLIAM FAULKNER

She stares at him, smoking, deliberately now. Deliberately she removes the

cigarette and, still watching him, reaches and snubs it out in the ashtray.

STEVENS

All right. Tell me again. Maybe I'll even understand this time, let

alone listen. We produce-turn up with -a sworn affidavit that this

murderess was crazy when she committed the crime.

TEMPLE

You did listen, didn't you? Who knows-

STEVENS

Based on what?

TEMPLE

-What?

STEVENS

The affidavit. Based on what?

(she stares at him) On what proof?

TEMPLE

Proof?

STEVENS

Proof. What will be in the affidavit? What are we going to affirm now

that for some reason, any reason, we-you-we didn't see fit to bring up

or anyway didn't bring up until after she-

TEMPLE

How do I know? You're the lawyer. What do you want in it? What do such

affidavits have in them, need to have in them, to make them work, make

them sure to work? Dont you have samples in your law booksreports,

whatever you call them-that you can copy and have me swear to? Good

ones, certain ones? At least, while we're committing whatever this is,

pick out a good one, such a good one that nobody, not even an untrained

lawyer, can punch holes in it....

Her voice ceases. She stares at him, while he continues to look steadily

back at her, saying nothing, just looking at her, until at last she draws a

loud harsh breath; her voice is harsh too.

TEMPLE

What do you want then? What more do you want?