“The Conscience of the Court” written by Zora Neale Hurston explores the life of a courtroom in the late 19th century. Laura Lee Kimble is a strong, loyal and humble African American woman. Laura has a close bond with Mrs. Clairborne, her dear friend and employer, and is faithful to their friendship. This friendship and loyalty is so strong that Laura refused to leave Mrs. Clairborne three times, even when her husband asked if they could live somewhere with more money. Clement Beasley, the plaintiff, alleges that Mrs. Clairborne borrowed money from him to purchase furniture for her house; however, when payment for this money was due, Mrs. Clairborne did not repay it. Mr. Beasley decides to show up at the house to take away all of Mrs. Clairborne's furniture for which, in his opinion, the money should have been used. Laura shares with the court that the furniture is actually family heirlooms passed down from Mrs. Clairborne's parents and her husband's family. Mr Beasley also claims that Laura attacked him to try to stop him from collecting Mrs Clairborne's furniture; however, Laura claims that she attacked him because he was rude and tried to force his way into the house to steal Mrs. Clairborne's furniture. The court judge struggles with what his conscience tells him is right even when the facts were against Laura. The judge requires a note signed by Mrs Clairborne, stating that she had borrowed money and for what purpose, to be brought into evidence in court; however, it is explained that the note was not taken into evidence because the note was believed to be a waste of evidence. The judge then asks that the ticket be collected and brought into the courtroom to be placed... in the center of the sheet... Short story writers, 1910-1945, First series. A secular book by Bruccoli Clark. By Bobby Ellen Kimbel, Pennsylvania State University, Ogontz Campus. The Gale Group, 1989. pp. 159-171.Hurston, Zora Neale. “The conscience of the Court”. The Norton anthology of short fiction. Cassill, R.V. New York: Norton & Company, Inc. 2000. 340-350 Print.Jones, Sharon L. “Hurston, Zora Neale.” Bloom's literature. File Web Facts, Inc.. December 1, 2013. "Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960)." Criticism of short stories. Ed. Thomas J. Schoenberg and Lawrence J. Trudeau. vol. 80. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005. 42-165. Literary criticism online. Storm. Austin Community College Libraries. December 1, 2013. http://galenet.galegroup.com.lsproxy.austincc.edu/servlet/LitCrit/txshracd2487/FJ3597850003