Judge Taylor’s appearance and his ability are two different things. What comment might the author be making in building the judge in this way?

Lee is contrasting appearances with reality, in that people are not always as we perceive them. The Judge seems to be laid back and rather bored..... in reality, he is no nonsense and on the job.

He was a man learned in the law, and although he seemed to take his job casually, in reality he kept a firm grip on any proceedings that came before him.