“Then understand that I want no privilege that is not shared by the humblest of my fellow prisoners—no favor, in short.”
“Well, Miss, for the matter of that, it is not an unlawful privilege, seeing as how the gov’ner sartinly has the right to send meals from his own table to any one he likes—and as for favor, Miss, it’s a favor for you to accept any lawful services as he is free to render you, seeing as how he is under such everlasting obligations to you and your’n as he can never repay.”
“Not to me—not to me—I never saw or heard of the man before I was brought hither.”
“Well, to your honored father, then! And though the old saying says that ‘favor is no inheritance,’ I say it ought to be! And so the best service as Mr. Anderson can do you won’t be too much for your father’s daughter.”
“Think as you will about that; but I had rather not fare better than my fellow-sufferers.”
“Neither will you, Miss, though you should have better than the best as the gov’ner’s house could afford.”
“I do not understand you,” said Eudora, in surprise.
“Harry, come up! I’ll explain!” answered the woman. “You must know that the best Master Anderson can send you is not half so good as what you have been used to; and the worst prison fare as is sent to the others is a deal better than ever they’ve had outside. Consequently, all things considered, you fare worse, and not better than the rest,” said Mrs. Barton, triumphantly.
“Your ingenious sophistry does not convince me.”
“Then I’ll tell you what must—the gov’ner’s orders; and he—under the higher authorities, you know—is paramount here. He commands me to serve you from the best upon his own table, and I must obey.”