"Don't you believe in punishment?" he asked.
"I don't know."
"Not even for cruelty?"
"I don't think you can stop cruelty by being cruel yourself."
"Wouldn't you give him in charge?"
"Yes," she said, "if I was sure they'd kill him. But they wouldn't. They'd only cage him. And I can't believe in the cage for anyone." She was breathing deeply.
"Here you are," said the young man.
She laid her hand on his a moment.
He grasped it, and drew toward her silently.
The horses moved side by side down the hill, a few pale stars sprinkling the dull heavens, and somewhere behind, the glimmer of a young moon.