“I beg your pardon, sir,” called the captain; “but are you sure that you are doing this thing just right?”
“Let's see—if I remember, I had a little talk with you last night!” suggested the agent, frostily. “Whom do you represent?” “Myself.”
“Just how do you fit into this matter?” “I don't think I do fit—there seem to be too many sharp corners,” stated Mayo, not liking the other's insolent manner. “Well, I fit! I have state authority.” “So you have told me. May I ask you a question?” “Go ahead, but be lively. This is my busy day.” “These people are being rooted up; they don't seem to know what's to become of them. What will be done?”
“I told you last evening! Fools in an institution; able-bodied must go to work. The state proposes—” “When you say 'state' just what do you mean, sir?” “I mean that I have investigated this matter and I'm running it.”
“That's what I thought! The state usually doesn't know much about what its agents are doing.”
“You are not doubting my authority, are you?”
“No, but I'm doubting your good judgment.”
“Look here, my man!”
“We'd better not lose our tempers,” advised Mayo, calmly. “You are a state servant, you say. Then a citizen has a right to talk to you. Let's leave the state out of this, if you question my right. Man to man, now! You're wrong.”
The population of the island had drawn close circle about them.