I told him the story of Haggerton, and Mrs. Hardhack's management in the case.
"You can judge that such conduct is calculated to produce disorder, and it did. It was nearly half an hour before I got the women quiet again."
"Mrs. Hardhack has been here many years—she ought to know better than to behave in that way. If she don't, I can teach her."
I did not tell him what followed. I had been studying the "Rules and Regulations" of the Board of Directors, for myself, and intended to abide by them. I remarked carelessly,—
"The Board direct that the convicts shall work from sunrise to sunset. They were worked an hour later last night."
"They had some contract work that they wanted to finish."
"The order of the Board is to work from sunrise to sunset. There is no provision made for finishing contract work. The order to work over hours was submitted to the Board for approval last night, was it not?"
"You are sharp. I see you wish to do your own duty, and you wish others to do the same."
"Yes, I like to do my duty if I can find out what it is. In this particular case, I am indifferent whether others do theirs or not. But, if I find them following me up to make me perform mine accurately, when they are involved in the same, it is perfectly natural for me to turn and observe their manner of doing theirs."
"I am trying to do mine."