If a man
wants to be tenderly treated, he should behave
accordingly. He has thoroughly deserved a little
sharp discipline. Perhaps it will be a lesson to
him not to play tricks with the window-bars again."
"The law does not admit of torture, though,"
the doctor ventured to say; "and this is coming
perilously near it."
"The law says nothing about opium, I think,"
said the Governor snappishly.
"It is for you to decide, of course, colonel; but
I hope you will let the straps be taken off at
any rate. They are a needless aggravation of
his misery. There's no fear of his escaping now.
He couldn't stand if you let him go free."
"My good sir, a doctor may make a mistake
like other people, I suppose. I have got him safe
strapped now, and he's going to stop so."
"At least, then, have the straps a little loosened.
It is downright barbarity to keep them drawn so tight."
"They will stop exactly as they are; and I will
thank you, sir, not to talk about barbarity to me.
If I do a thing, I have a reason for it.
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