GUY. Safe?
CAPTAIN. Yes. Will they let you?
GUY. The weavers? Man, they'll help.
CAPTAIN. Will they now?
GUY. They will come and ask to be allowed to help They'll sit round watching stone go on to stone and thank their God for every story raised.
CAPTAIN. That's not their mood to-night.
GUY. To-night they have a supper in them, They'll be starving then.
RUTH (without turning). Starving!
CAPTAIN. You are somewhat drastic, sir.
GUY. Well, sir, and are not you? In the army you've the noble institution of flogging to keep your men to heel. We can't flog weavers. It's against the law and so we have to keep them disciplined by other means. And now, captain, about your prisoners.