the Commonwealth at the best, and that their prisons were a good step
on towards being at the worst."

Quoth I: "But have you no prisons at all now?"

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I felt that I had made a
mistake, for Dick flushed red and frowned, and the old man looked
surprised and pained; and presently Dick said angrily, yet as if
restraining himself somewhat -

"Man alive! how can you ask such a question? Have I not told you
that we know what a prison means by the undoubted evidence of really
trustworthy books, helped out by our own imaginations? And haven't
you specially called me to notice that the people about the roads and
streets look happy? and how could they look happy if they knew that
their neighbours were shut up in prison, while they bore such things
quietly? And if there were people in prison, you couldn't hide it
from folk, like you may an occasional man-slaying; because that isn't
done of set purpose, with a lot of people backing up the slayer in
cold blood, as this prison business is. Prisons, indeed! O no, no,
no!"

He stopped, and began to cool down, and said in a kind voice: "But
forgive me! I needn't be so hot about it, since there are NOT any
prisons: I'm afraid you will think the worse of me for losing my
temper. Of course, you, coming from the outlands, cannot be expected
to know about these things. And now I'm afraid I have made you feel
uncomfortable."

In a way he had; but he was so generous in his heat, that I liked him