“The convicts angry with us⁠—the gentlemen.”

“Why should they be angry with you?”

“Because we did not take part in the complaint.”

“But why should you make a complaint?” he asked, as though trying to understand me. “You buy your own food.”

“Good heavens! But some of you who joined in it buy your own food too. We ought to have done the same⁠—as comrades.”

“But⁠ ⁠… but how can you be our comrades?” he asked in perplexity.