"You look on the top of the bread closet in the cellar, and you will find something."
I went down, mounted some false steps, and found a quart filled with slices of meat. I took it up into the kitchen, and asked,--
"Who hid this meat away on the top of the bread cupboard in the cellar?"
"Will the one who did it be honest enough to own it; or will she be mean enough to let me lay the blame on some one else? Did you do it, Annie O'Brien?"
I did not wish to ask her who did it, because she had told me.
"I am going to ask you all, and I hope no one will be mean enough to lie about it."
"Very well, O'Sullivan; but you were rather too generous to yourself. Half of that would have been enough for your dinner, and to punish you for being so selfish, you can't have any of it. I shall give it to the others. Your hiding it away down there, gave it very much the appearance of stealing. In future, when you wish to put anything away, show it to me, and then, put it away like an honest woman. But you are never to put anything away unless it is left over, after I have divided the meat. It would be very mean to take a double portion for yourself, and make the poor fellows on the other side go without."
I had been studying the Rules and Regulations of the Board, and discovered that I was to admonish once, before reporting for punishment. I did not propose to transcend that rule.
"Now, remember, there is nothing more to be hid away from me."
"There isn't much danger, as long as you let us tell you all about it."
"I shall always let you tell me, before I get you punished; but you must always obey, and then there will be no punishment."
"I suppose it is only right that we should eat our share of peas with the rest, for they can't get even bread and coffee as we can."
"It is certainly wrong for you to take another prisoner's meat; and very mean, because, as you say, he has not the chance you have to get anything else. Now, girls, will you promise not to hide things away, and try to cheat me any more?"
"I will, I will," was responded by the six. I did not expect them to do it without a great many more "admonishings."
"Now, girls, be on your guard, so that the temptation does not become too strong for you."