“Because it is against prison rules, and prisoners must not even ask for it.”
“What is allowed, then?”
“Better fare, if you pay for it, books, and leave to walk about.”
“I do not want books, I am satisfied with my food, and do not care to walk about; but I wish to see the governor.”
“If you worry me by repeating the same thing, I will not bring you any more to eat.”
“Well, then,” said Edmond, “if you do not, I shall die of hunger—that is all.”
The jailer saw by his tone he would be happy to die; and as every prisoner is worth ten sous a day to his jailer, he replied in a more subdued tone.