But though the rigor of discipline kept them back from free
intercourse, no watchfulness could check the stolen words of comfort
that helped the weary men to bear their degrading lot.

That night, the first of their life together, Michael Sunlocks looked
into Jason's face and said, "I have seen you before somewhere. Where
was it?"

But Jason remembered the hot words that had pursued him on the day of
the burning of the beds, and so he made no answer.

After awhile, Michael Sunlocks looked closely into Jason's face
again, and said, "What is your name?"

"Don't ask it," said Jason.

"Why not," said Sunlocks.

"You might remember it."

"Even so, what then?"

"Then you might also remember what I did, or tried to do, and you
would hate me for it," said Jason.

"Was your crime so inhuman?" said Sunlocks.

"It would seem so," said Jason.

"Who sent you here?"

"The Republic."

"You won't tell me your name?"

"I've got none, so to speak, having had no father to give me one. I'm
alone in the world."

Michael Sunlocks did not sleep much that night, for the wound in his
hand was very painful, and next morning, while Jason dressed it, he
looked into his face once more and said, "You say you are alone in
the world."

"Yes," said Jason.

"What of your mother?"

"She's dead, poor soul."

"Have you no sister?"

"No."

"Nor brother?"

"No--that's to say--no, no."

"No one belonging to you?"

"No."

"Are you quite alone?"

"Ay, quite," said Jason. "No one to think twice what becomes of me.
Nobody to trouble whether I am here or in a better place. Nobody to
care whether I live or die."

He tried to laugh as he said this, but in spite of his brave show of
unconcern his deep voice broke and his strong face quivered.

"But what's your own name?" he said abruptly.

"Call me--brother," said Michael Sunlocks.

"To your work," cried the warders, and they were hustled out.

Their work for the day was delving sulphur from the banks of the
solfataras and loading it on the backs of the ponies. And while their
warders dozed in the heat of the noonday sun, they wiped their brows
and rested.

At that moment Jason's eyes turned towards the hospital on the
opposite side of the hill, and he remembered what he had heard of the
good woman who had been nurse there. This much at least he knew of
her, that she was the wife of his yoke-fellow, and he was about to
speak of her trouble and dishonor when Michael Sun