Part 35 (1/2)
”I want to ask you one question: What had you done that they should use you like that?”
No answer.
”It is not from idle curiosity I ask you, but that I may be able to advise you, or intercede for you if the punishment should appear too severe for the offense.”
No answer.
”Come, I would wait here ever so long upon the chance of your speaking to me if you were the only prisoner, but there are others in their solitude longing for me; time is precious; will you speak to one who desires to be your friend?”
No answer.
A flush of impatience and anger crossed the chaplain's brow. In most men it would have found vent in words. This man but turned away to hide it from its object. He gulped his brief ire down and said only, ”So then I am never to be any use to you,” and went sorrowfully away.
Robinson coiled himself up a little tighter, and hugged his hatred of all mankind closer, like a treasure that some one had just tried to do him out of.
As the chaplain came out of his cell he was met by Hawes, whose countenance wore a gloomy expression that soon found its way into words.
”The chaplain is not allowed to interfere between me and the prisoners in this jail.”
”Explain, Mr. Hawes.”
”You have been and ordered my turnkeys to relax punishment.”
”You forget, Mr. Hawes, I explained to you that they were acting without the requisite authority from you.”
”That is all right, and I have called them to account, but then you are not to order them either; you should have applied to me.”
”I see, I see! Forgive me this little breach of routine where a human being's sufferings would have been prolonged by etiquette.”
”Ugh! Well, it must not occur again.”
”I trust the occasion will not.”
”For that matter, you will often see refractory prisoners punished in this jail. You had better mind your own business in the jail, it will find you work enough.”
”I will, Mr. Hawes; to dissuade men from cruelty is a part of it.”
”If you come between me and the prisoners, sir, you won't be long here.”
The new chaplain smiled.
”What does it matter whether I'm here or in Patagonia, so that I do my duty wherever I am?” said he with a fine mixture of good-humor and spirit.
Hawes turned his back rudely and went and reduced Robinson's supper fifty per cent.
”Evans, is that sort of punishment often inflicted here?”
”Well, sir, yes. It is a common punishment of this jail.”
”It must be very painful.”