'Bash the ---- to a jelly--that's what we'd like to do to his ---- carcase! It's through the likes of him that our homes are broken up, our kids starving, our wives with pretty near nothing on. Killing's too good for such a----!'
'Who are you that you should judge your brother?'
The man spat on the pavement.
'He's no brother of mine--not much he ain't! If I'd a brother like him, I'd cut my throat!'
'Since all men are brethren, and this is a man, if he is not your brother, what, then, are you?'
'He's no man! If he is, I hope I ain't.'
The Stranger was for a moment silent, looking at the speaker, who, drawing the back of his hand across his mouth, averted his glance.
'You are a man--as he is. Would that you both were more than men, or less. Go, all of you that would shed innocent blood, knowing not what it is you do. Wash the stain from off your hands; for if your hands are clean, so also are your hearts. As your ignorance is great, so also is God's mercy. Go, I say, and learn who is your brother.'
And the people went, slinking off, for the most part, in little groups of threes and fours, muttering together. Some there were who made haste, and ran, thinking that the man was dead, and fearful of what might follow.
When they were all gone, the Stranger turned to the woman, who still cried and made a noise.