Judge Taylor appears to be rather old and tired during the trial. However, the reader knows that he must take his job seriously because he asks Atticus to defend Tom Robinson. As a county judge, he must be careful not to look too interested in the trial, or he might lost his job. He knows this but secretly goes to Atticus and convinces Atticus to defend an unpopular defendant. He knows Atticus will give Tom a fair defense. And he also knows that by appearing disinterested, he will also keep his job.