THE GOVERNOR. [Pointing down the corridor] Ask the doctor to come here, Mr. Wooder.     

CONTENTS

         WOODER salutes and goes away down the corridor. The GOVERNOR goes to the door of FALDER'S cell. He raises his uninjured hand to uncover the peep-hole; but, without uncovering it, shakes his head and drops his hand; then, after scrutinising the record board, he opens the cell door. FALDER, who is standing against it, lurches forward.       

       THE GOVERNOR. [Beckoning him out] Now tell me: can't you settle down, Falder?     

       FALDER. [In a breathless voice] Yes, sir.     

       THE GOVERNOR. You know what I mean? It's no good running your head against a stone wall, is it?     

       FALDER. No, sir.     

       THE GOVERNOR. Well, come.     

       FALDER. I try, sir.     

       THE GOVERNOR. Can't you sleep?     

       FALDER. Very little. Between two o'clock and getting up's the worst time.     

       THE GOVERNOR. How's that?     

       FALDER. [His lips twitch with a sort of smile] I don't know, sir. I was always nervous. [Suddenly voluble] Everything seems to get such a size then. I feel I'll never get out as long as I live.     

       THE GOVERNOR. That's morbid, my lad. Pull yourself together.     

       FALDER. [With an equally sudden dogged resentment] Yes—I've got to.     

       THE GOVERNOR. Think of all these other fellows?     

       FALDER. They're used to it.     

       THE GOVERNOR. They all had to go through it once for the first time, just as you're doing now.     

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