She was using the same argument with me to get her bed that I had used with the Deputy to get it for her. "When you have been here before, and been punished, you have behaved very badly, have you not?" "Yes, ma'am." "Annie O'Brien, will you be patient to-night, and make no complaints?" "Yes, ma'am." "In the morning, when the Deputy comes around, will you tell him that you will try to govern your temper?" "I will tell you so." "Will you tell him so?" "Yes, ma'am." "Good night, Annie, and may the Christ, whose name you called so wickedly this morning, take care of you!" "Good night, ma'am!" The next morning, when I gave O'Brien her bread and water, I asked her,-- "O'Brien, do you think, if McMullins were to strike you again, you would strike back?" "I don't think I should now,--I shouldn't if I thought." "What do you think of your behavior yesterday?" "I am ashamed of myself that I should take any notice of that poor, foolish, half crazy thing! But I've got an awful temper, and it gets the upper hands of me before I know it." "When the Deputy comes around, if he says anything to you, will you tell him you are ashamed of yourself, and resolved to do better?" "He never could make me say it to him before." "He may not ask you to now; if he does, you will be submissive and perfectly respectful?" "Yes, ma'am, I will." When the Deputy came in, I importuned him to unlock my women. "If I do, it will only be to have O'Brien locked up again in a few days. She has been here twice before, and is one of the worst cases we have ever had." "If she is subdued and promises to do better, is not that enough?" "Subdued!" he echoed. "She will promise anything to get out." "Did you ever get a promise from her to do better?" "I don't think we ever did. She has always braved us as long as she could speak." "I am a new mistress, my management may be new to her. Will you let me try her, if you please? She is such a young thing, it seems as though she might be influenced to reform. You are punishing me to keep her in that dark cell. It takes my strength all away to think of her there. I could not sleep last night,--thoughts of her haunted me." The tears came into my eyes. If he had refused me, I should have cried outright. He was a man, and one of kindly feelings, too, when left to himself. He gave me the order,-- "Bring me your key!" I brought it very quickly, and unlocked Annie's cell with more alacrity than I ever turned key in a lock before. "O'Brien," said the Deputy to her, "I let you out because your Matron asks me to. Now show your gratitude by your good behavior, and obedience to her." "I will try, sir." "Unlock the other one when you please," he said to me, and went out. O'Brien turned to me.