For days he suffered terribly , then worn out , sank into a black melancholy sadder to see than his excitement . The warden of this prison was a rough man who had won the ill will of all by unnecessary harshness , but the chaplain was full of sympathy , and did his hard duty faithfully and tenderly . He laboured with poor Dan , but seemed to make no impression , and was forced to wait till work had soothed the excited nerves and captivity tamed the proud spirit that would suffer but not complain . Dan was put in the brush-shop , and feeling that activity was his only salvation , worked with a feverish energy that soon won the approval of the master and the envy of less skilful mates . Day after day he sat in his place , watched by an armed overseer , forbidden any but necessary words , no intercourse with the men beside him , no change but from cell to shop , no exercise but the dreary marches to and fro , each man 's hand on the other 's shoulder keeping step with the dreary tramp so different from the ringing tread of soldiers . Silent , gaunt , and grim , Dan did his daily task , ate his bitter bread , and obeyed commands with a rebellious flash of the eye , that made the warden say : ` That 's a dangerous man . Watch him . He 'll break out some day . ' There were others more dangerous than he , because older in crime and ready for any desperate outbreak to change the monotony of long sentences . These men soon divined Dan 's mood , and in the mysterious way convicts invent , managed to convey to him before a month was over that plans were being made for a mutiny at the first opportunity . Thanksgiving Day was one of the few chances for them to speak together as they enjoyed an hour of freedom in the prison yard . Then all would be settled and the rash attempt made if possible , probably to end in bloodshed and defeat for most , but liberty for a few . Dan had already planned his own escape and bided his time , growing more and more moody , fierce , and rebellious , as loss of liberty wore upon soul and body ; for this sudden change from his free , healthy life to such a narrow , gloomy , and miserable one , could not but have a terrible effect upon one of Dan 's temperament and age . He brooded over his ruined life , gave up all his happy hopes and plans , felt that he could never face dear old Plumfield again , or touch those friendly hands , with the stain of blood upon his own . He did not care for the wretched man whom he had killed , for such a life was better ended , he thought ; but the disgrace of prison would never be wiped out of his memory , though the cropped hair would grow again , the grey suit easily be replaced , and the bolts and bars left far behind . ` It 's all over with me ; I 've spoilt my life , now let it go . I 'll give up the fight and get what pleasure I can anywhere , anyhow . They shall think me dead and so still care for me , but never know what I am . Poor Mother Bhaer ! she tried to help me , but it 's no use ; the firebrand ca n't be saved . '
And dropping his head in his hands as he sat on his low bed , XXXXX would mourn over all he had lost in tearless misery , till merciful sleep would comfort him with dreams of the happy days when the boys played together , or those still later and happier ones when all smiled on him , and Plumfield seemed to have gained a new and curious charm .
Bhaer Dan Day brush-shop firebrand first fro hour left month