"We have no help for that, if we obey the Rules."
"We should be constantly admonishing."
"Wouldn't that be better than constantly punishing? Isn't it better to err on the side of mercy than on that of severity? It seems to me a very severe punishment to put upon a girl for so slight an offense. I think I could have administered a rebuke that would have prevented her repeating it towards me. It really makes me very unhappy to think she is locked up there for a disrespect shown me."
"If you are satisfied with the punishment she has had, you can let her out."
"Indeed I am!"
If she had been one of my women perhaps I should not have reminded the Deputy that he had transcended his orders. Mary Muran was a shop woman. When she was released from her solitary confinement she would return to the shop. Mrs. Hardhack would call him to account for letting her off with so slight a punishment. I gave him an answer for her.
I went directly to the girl's cell.
"You can go, Mary, and I hope you will never do so mean and foolish a thing as to mimic a Matron again."
"I never will, and I shall always remember this kindness in you."
I never knew her to require reproof again, while I was in the institution. It was like the experience I had with every other prisoner. There are, undoubtedly, those who return kindness with ingratitude, but I never saw the kindness fail to produce good behavior while there.