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.

Falder.  Yes, sir, I shall get to be like them in time, I suppose.

The governor. [Rather taken aback] H’m!  Well!  That rests with you.  Now come.  Set your mind to it, like a good fellow.  You’re still quite young.  A man can make himself what he likes.

Falder. [Wistfully] Yes, sir.

The governor.  Take a good hold of yourself.  Do you read?

Falder.  I don’t take the words in. [Hanging his head] I know it’s no good; but I can’t help thinking of what’s going on outside.  In my cell I can’t see out at all.  It’s thick glass, sir.

The governor.  You’ve had a visitor.  Bad news?

Falder.  Yes.

The governor.  You mustn’t think about it.

Falder. [Looking back at his cell] How can I help it, sir?

     He suddenly becomes motionless as Wooder and the doctor
     approach.  The governor motions to him to go back into his cell.

Falder. [Quick and low] I’m quite right in my head, sir. [He goes back into his cell.]

The governor. [To the doctor] Just go in and see him, Clements.

     The doctor goes into the cell.  The governor pushes the door to,
     nearly closing it, and walks towards the window.

Wooder. [Following] Sorry you should be troubled like this, sir. 
Very contented lot of men, on the whole.

The governor. [Shortly] You think so?

Wooder.  Yes, sir.  It’s Christmas doing it, in my opinion.

The governor. [To himself] Queer, that!

Wooder.  Beg pardon, sir?