I forget sometimes, when you are ready to treat me like a human being, that I am only a convict." "Don't take it like that," said Nic hurriedly.

"It was only because I was thinking, Leather." "Yes, sir, I see: some little trouble at home." "Oh, no!" cried Nic, ready to blurt out everything now.

"You see I like you, Leather." The man's eyes flashed and then softened for a moment, while his lips quivered; but his hard, cynical, bitter aspect and tones came back--the manner born of years of misery and degradation, and he cried mockingly: "Why?
Because I behaved like a brute to you, and made believe to throw you down into that gully ?" "Don't bring that up," cried Nic angrily; "and don't talk in that way, Leather.

It isn't you.

It's only put on." "Indeed," said the man bitterly.