Phil expected no mercy. His feelings were blunted by what he had already gone through, so the worst that might happen now did not worry him; for, when hope of relief entirely goes, what one has to face loses most of its terrors.
The well-fed, strong-jawed governor leaned over his desk and looked at his prisoner.
“Ay, Ralston! So you were a naughty boy and ran away!”
The young fellow did not reply.
“Look up, man! I’m not going to eat you.”
Ralston’s eyes met his calmly.
“Why did you run away?”
“Because my time was up, sir!”
“Of course it was! Hang it all!––that’s why I can’t understand your behaviour.”
The governor smiled in a manner that was meant to be reassuring––for, after all, he knew he had exceeded his limit and, if it were known, he might have difficulty in squaring himself.