Межзвёздный скиталец

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           IhavejustenduredavisitfromtheWarden.Isay“endured”advisedly.HeisquitedifferentfromtheWardenofSanQuentin.Hewasverynervous,andperforceIhadtoentertainhim.Thisishisfirsthanging.Hetoldmeso.AndI,withaclumsyattemptatwit,didnotreassurehimwhenIexplainedthatitwasalsomyfirsthanging.Hewasunabletolaugh.Hehasagirlinhighschool,andhisboyisafreshmanatStanford.Hehasnoincomeoutsidehissalary,hiswifeisaninvalid,andheisworriedinthathehasbeenrejectedbythelifeinsurancedoctorsasanundesirablerisk.Really,themantoldmealmostallhistroubles.HadInotdiplomaticallyterminatedtheinterviewhewouldstillbeheretellingmetheremainderofthem.

           MylasttwoyearsinSanQuentinwereverygloomyanddepressing.EdMorrell,byoneofthewildestfreaksofchance,wastakenoutofsolitaryandmadeheadtrustyofthewholeprison.ThiswasAlHutchins’oldjob,anditcarriedagraftofthreethousanddollarsayear.Tomymisfortune,JakeOppenheimer,whohadrottedinsolitaryforsomanyyears,turnedsourontheworld,oneverything.Foreightmonthsherefusedtotalkeventome.

           Inprison,newswilltravel.Giveittimeanditwillreachdungeonandsolitarycell.