"Can't the Deputy take care of me?"
"Certainly! but you ought to have respect enough to my feelings to talk
decently where I am."
"I have cut my hands awfully;" and she held out her arm towards me.
"Yes, you have. Shall I bind it up for you?"
I sent for bandages and water, and bound up her hands and arms. She
washed the blood-stains from her clothes, and made herself tidy.
"That will do, Callahan! We want to lock you in now."
She looked at the key which I held in my hand.
"I am ready; lock me up."
The key was turned, and Callahan was in solitary again.
Not long afterwards, when all was quiet, I passed her door. She called
to me,--
"Look here!"
"Well, Callahan."
"I'm sorry I talked so bad before you; but I was so mad I didn't know
what I said. I've got no spite against you."
"I am sorry you have against any one."
"O that she-d--l in the shop! I'd send her into eternity if I could get
hold of her!"
"Stop, Callahan! will you be gentle and patient while you are here with
me?"
"Yes, for you I will. But look here! my arm pains me, and it's swelled
awfully! I'm afraid there's glass in it."
"I think you can see the Doctor if you wish. I think he had better see
it. I'll go ask the Deputy to send him in."
"Thank you; I wish you would. I'm afraid there's glass in it, and it
will be awful sore if it stays there."
I whistled for the Deputy, told him what Callahan said, and he sent the
Doctor in.
When she was first locked in he had told me not to open her cell unless
he were present. He was a new Deputy who had come into office that day,
and evidently felt the responsibility that was attached to his office,
and the consequence it gave him.
"You will come round when it is time to give her food?"
"Yes."
I thought he was afraid of her violence; but I had no apprehension on
that score, so when the Doctor came, not thinking of the order, I opened
the cell as I had always done under the other Deputy. I had occasion to
think, afterwards, that he did not wish her to tell her own story,
unless it was in his presence; or intended to prevent her altogether.
The front door of the kitchen stood open, and the Doctor came in that
way without seeing any of the officers.
"What is the matter here?" he asked in his jolly way; "who is cut to
pieces?"
"Callahan has cut herself," I answered, as I went to get the key to open
her cell.
"How did she do it?"
"She got angry and struck her hand through the window."
"Is that the way you do when you get angry?"
"Did you come here to treat me?"
"Women are a great deal alike, are they not?"
"You make an assertion, and ask me to confirm it."
"Isn't it so?"
"As much alike as different men, if you are really interested to know my
opinion."
"How about the other?"
"You wish to understand my disposition, do you? I am happy to gratify
you on that point so far as my knowledge goes. There is method in my
madness. I usually consider the matter awhile, or sulk; then, make a
thorough application of the dictionary to the offending party. Look out
for yourself or you may get a blow sometime from Webster's Unabridged."