"You can tell about it in every joint from here to Texola." He smiled. "So long, fella. You been a good guy. But look, when you been in stir a little while, you can smell a question comin’ from hell to breakfast. You telegraphed yours the first time you opened your trap."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 2. Tom Joad makes this comment after telling the driver that he was given a seven-year prison sentence for killing a man, but was sprung in four for good behavior. Tom tells him that he knew from the moment the driver started asking questions, he wanted to know where Tom was coming from wearing brand new cheap clothing and carrying no belongings.