The man stepped in front of him. "Leave me alone, freak. Let me think my own thoughts!"
"Citizen, I haven't touched your mind."
"I felt it just then!"
"It was no more than I could help. I'm sorry if I've hurt you."
"Go away!"
"I'm trying to."
"Murderer! Mind witch!"
He was faced with a strong mind that valued its independence. Anything he did would be detected and resented.
"Citizens," he said, "this man deserves your respect. No matter what a man does, he's bound to offend someone. This Citizen values his privacy—which is good—and therefore I make him angry. I hope the good my Talent lets me do outweighs the bad. Forgive me, brother."
He stepped to one side. "Leave him alone," someone said. "Let the Protector work."