Evans lingered behind, and took a look at the massy door, behind which for the first time a man had gone voluntarily, and after grave deliberation delivered himself at long intervals of the two following profound reflections: 

“Well!  I’m blest!!”

“Well!  I’m blowed!!”

CHAPTER XIV.

MR. LEPEL returned somewhat earlier than he had intended.  On entering the jail it so happened that he met the governor, and seized this opportunity of conversing with him.

He expressed at once so warm an admiration of the jail and the system pursued in it, that Hawes began to take a fancy to him.

They compared notes, and agreed that no system but the separate and silent had a leg to stand on; and as they returned together from visiting the ground-floor cells, Mr. Lepel had the honor of giving a new light to Hawes himself.

“If I could have my way the debtors should be in separate cells.  I would have but one system in a jail.”

Hawes laughed incredulously.  “There would be a fine outcry if we treated the debtors the same as we do the rogues.”

“Mr. Hawes,” said the other firmly, “an honest man very seldom finds his way into any part of a jail.  Extravagant people and tradesmen who have abused the principle of credit, deserve punishment, and above all require discipline and compulsory self-communion to bring them to amend their ways.”

“That is right, sir,” cried Hawes, a sudden light breaking on him, “and it certainly is a mistake letting them enjoy themselves.”

“And corrupt each other.”

Hawes.  A prison should be confinement.

Lepel.  And seclusion from all but profitable company.

Hawes.  It is not a place of amusement.

Lepel.  There should be no idle conversation.

“And no noise,” put in Hawes hastily.

“However, this prison is a model for all the prisons in the land, and I shall feel quite sad when I go back to my duty in Cumberland.”

“Cumberland?  Why, you are our new chaplain, aren’t ye?”

“No!  I am not so fortunate, I am a friend of his; my name is Lepel.”

“Oh, you are Mr. Lepel, and where is our one?  I heard he had been all over the jail.”

“What, have you not seen him?”

“No! he has never been near me.  Not very polite, I think.”

“Oh! oh!”

“Hallo! what is wrong!”

“I think I know where he is; he is not far off.  I will go and find him if you will excuse me.”

“No! we won’t trouble you.  Here, Hodges, come here.  Have you seen the new chaplain—­where is he?”

“Well, sir, Evans tells me he is—­” click!

“Confound you, don’t stand grinning.  Where is he?”

“In the black hole, sir!”

“What d’ye mean by the black hole?  The dust hole?”

“No, sir, I mean the dark cells.”