Julia Stockton remained outside with Sam till the boat rounded the Battery, and for three-quarters of an hour longer. Sam was very well qualified to answer her numerous questions about the different places they passed.
"What is that island?" asked Julia.
"That is Blackwell's Island," answered Sam.
"Is that where the penitentiary is?" she inquired, with interest.
"Yes, it is that long stone building."
"How gloomy it is!" said Julia, with a shudder. "How can people be so wicked as to need to go to such a place?"
Sam winced. He knew very well that he had done things, or, at any rate, planned them, which would have entitled him to a place in the prison they were now passing.
"How ashamed I should be if I were ever sent there, and Julia should know it!" he thought.
"What makes you look so sober?" asked Julia.
"I was pitying the poor people who are confined there."