Instructor. [Speaking from the door into the cell] I’ll have another bit for you when that’s finished.

O’CLEARY. [Unseen—­in an Irish voice] Little doubt o’ that, sirr.

Instructor. [Gossiping] Well, you’d rather have it than nothing, I s’pose.

O’CLEARY.  An’ that’s the blessed truth.

     Sounds are heard of a cell door being closed and locked, and of
     approaching footsteps.

Instructor. [In a sharp, changed voice] Look alive over it!

     He shuts the cell door, and stands at attention.

     The governor comes walking down the corridor, followed by
     Wooder.

The governor.  Anything to report?

Instructor. [Saluting] Q 3007 [he points to a cell] is behind with his work, sir.  He’ll lose marks to-day.

     The governor nods and passes on to the end cell.  The instructor
     goes away.

The governor.  This is our maker of saws, isn’t it?

He takes the saw from his pocket as Wooder throws open the door of the cell.  The convict Moaney is seen lying on his bed, athwart the cell, with his cap on.  He springs up and stands in the middle of the cell.  He is a raw-boned fellow, about fifty-six years old, with outstanding bat’s ears and fierce, staring, steel-coloured eyes.

Wooder.  Cap off! [Moaney removes his cap] Out here! [Moaney Comes to the door]

The governor. [Beckoning him out into the corridor, and holding up the saw—­with the manner of an officer speaking to a private] Anything to say about this, my man? [Moaney is silent] Come!

Moaney.  It passed the time.

The governor. [Pointing into the cell] Not enough to do, eh?

Moaney.  It don’t occupy your mind.

The governor. [Tapping the saw] You might find a better way than this.

Moaney. [Sullenly] Well!  What way?  I must keep my hand in against the time I get out.  What’s the good of anything else to me at my time of life? [With a gradual change to civility, as his tongue warms] Ye know that, sir.  I’ll be in again within a year or two, after I’ve done this lot.  I don’t want to disgrace meself when I’m out.  You’ve got your pride keeping the prison smart; well, I’ve got mine. [Seeing that the governor is listening with interest, he goes on, pointing to the saw] I must be doin’ a little o’ this.  It’s no harm to any one.  I was five weeks makin’ that saw—­a, bit of all right it is, too; now I’ll get cells, I suppose, or seven days’ bread and water.  You can’t help it, sir, I know that—­I quite put meself in your place.

The governor.  Now, look here, Moaney, if I pass it over will you give me your word not to try it on again?  Think! [He goes into the cell, walks to the end of it, mounts the stool, and tries the window-bars]