“Well, now, what is his character, may I ask?”
“HE IS A MILD, QUIET, DOCILE LAD.”
“Ha! ha! ha! I thought so. Prisoners are the refuse of the earth. The governor knows them, and how to manage them. A discretion must be allowed him, and I see no reason to interfere between him and refractory prisoners except when he invites us.”
“You are aware that several attempts at suicide have been made within the last few months?”
“Sham attempts, yes.”
“One was not sham, sir,” said Mr. Jones, gravely
“Oh, Jackson, you mean. No, but he was a lunatic, and would have made away with himself anywhere—Hawes is convinced of that.”
“Well, sir, I have told you the fact; I have remonstrated against the uncommon seventies practiced in this jail—seventies unknown in Captain O'Connor's day.”
“And I have received and answered your remonstrance, sir, and there that matter ought to end.”
This, and the haughty tone with which it was said, discouraged and nettled the chaplain; he turned red and said: