Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 20
Norcanoneblamethem.Theyhadexperiencedsimilarinvestigationsinthepast.Theyknewonwhichsidetheirbreadwasbuttered.Theyknewthatalltheirsidesandmostoftheirribswouldacheveryquicklyafterthetakingoftheirtestimony...ifsaidtestimonywereadversetotheprisonadministration.Oh,believeme,myreader,itisaveryancientstory.ItwasancientinoldBabylon,manyathousandyearsago,asIwellrememberofthatoldtimewhenIrottedinprisonwhilepalaceintriguesshookthecourt.
AsIhavesaid,everyconvicttestifiedtothehumanenessofWardenAtherton’sadministration.Infact,sotouchingweretheirtestimonialstothekindnessoftheWarden,tothegoodandvariedqualityofthefoodandthecooking,tothegentlenessoftheguards,andtothegeneraldecencyandeaseandcomfortoftheprisondomicile,thattheoppositionnewspapersofSanFranciscoraisedanindignantcryformorerigourinthemanagementofourprisons,inthat,otherwise,honestbutlazycitizenswouldbeseducedintoseekingenrolmentasprisonguests.
TheSenateCommitteeeveninvadedsolitary,wherethethreeofushadlittletoloseandnothingtogain.JakeOppenheimerspatinitsfacesandtolditsmembers,allandsundry,togotohell.
