Rupert reflected.
"He'd have done something, for certain. Why, of course! He'd have healed the man's broken legs first!"
"And that's what mankind is doing as best it can."
"And if the man dies?"
"Then the State will look after his leavings."
"You're justice itself," said Rupert; "but man's justice be frosty work."
"That's right enough. Justice and mercy is the difference between God and Christ. The one's a terrible light to show the way and mark the rock and point the channel through the storm; but 'twill dazzle your eyes if you see it too close, remember. And t'other's to the cold heart what a glowing fire be to the cold body."
"And I say that Uncle Nathan's just that—a glowing, Christlike sort of man," declared the younger fervently.
"Say so and think so," answered his uncle. "He stands for mercy; and I'll never say again that he stands for mercy, because he knows he'll stand in need of mercy. I'll never say that again. And I stand for justice, and hope I'll reap as I have sowed—neither better nor worse. But between my way and Nathan's way is yet another way; and if I could find it, then I should find the thing I'm seeking."
"The way of justice and mercy together, I suppose you mean?"