By being kept without enough to satisfy their hunger they were led into sin, if it be a sin for them to help themselves to more than their share. They were led to disobey the rules, which involved punishment if they were detected. It would certainly undermine their health to work so many hours as they were obliged to without a suitable amount of food to produce recuperation. "Are you hungry enough to eat that meat after it has been in your stocking, and on this floor?" "Yes, ma'am; it ain't hurt it any. I'll eat it if you'll give it to me." "Eat it!" She brushed the dust off it with her hand, tore it apart with her fingers, and put it in her mouth. "Bridget, don't ever take any more, and secrete it without my knowledge." "No, ma'am; and you wont report me now." "I gave you the meat. How can I report you?" "Thank you!" "If you are ever so hungry, don't you put any away for yourself without asking me!" "No, ma'am!" Perhaps she will not. The fear of punishment, in a solitary cell, had not deterred her from taking the meat. Perhaps pity for her fellow-prisoners would not; nor the desire to please me. That evening I heard the Matrons discussing the music by the quartette choir in the chapel of the prison. "You have a hired choir?" I asked. "Yes, and an organ?" That information sounded strangely in contrast with the scanty meals and the solitary cells. Where does the praise of God come in? XIII. LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY. After the kitchen was put in order, that Sunday afternoon, I gathered the women around me, and read a story to them, from a religious newspaper. I also read them one of the Saviour's parables. Then, I talked with them so as to find out what ideas they entertained of themselves, and the lives they had led. "What are you in here for, Sarah?" I asked of a smart, bright, active woman. As she was among convicts she was called bold; but if she were working outside she would be called a smart, capable woman. If any notice were taken of her ways she would be just remarked as independent. "For shoplifting, ma'am;" and with a toss of her head, that was intended to ward off reproof, she added, "When I go out of here I will do just so again. I'll take five dollars for every day they've left me here." "Then you will get detected, and brought back again." "No, ma'am! I'll look out for that." "You cannot; you may be sure your sin will find you out. If you break God's commandment, 'Thou shalt not steal,' his eye is on you, He will see it, and surely punish you for it. It may be by coming here, and it may be in some other way." "I'll risk all He'll do to me if I don't fall into the hands of the police, and get in here."