"Bethink thee, young brother," he said finally. "How would Stephen answer thee in this?"
Marsyas' demanding eyes wavered and fell; his lips parted and closed again; he frowned.
"Whom then wouldst thou please in this vengeance? Not Stephen! Then wilt thou comfort thyself with bloody work, while the tomb stands between thee and Stephen's restraining hands?"
Marsyas threw up his head defiantly, shaking off the influence of the argument.
"Do ye in all truth follow the doctrine that bids you suffer without requital?" he demanded, even while feeling that his logic was impotent.
"God directs all things; if it be His will that we shall suffer or escape, God's will be done!"
"It is cowardly!" Marsyas declared with flashing eyes.
The preacher came closer. "I believe that thou art determined and sincere. Suppose Saul fell into thy hands, as an evil-doer, and the Law was ready for his blood, and God bade thee withhold thy hand. Would it be easy?"
"No, by my soul!"
"Look then at me and answer. Is it easy for me, who hath suffered exactly thy sorrows, to stand still and wait on God?"