He took her down the passage to a great iron door, in which there was a sliding panel, not large, but large enough to allow an outsider to look into the interior. The keeper drew back the panel, and shrill voices fell upon her ears, uttering curses and foul language. She saw men and women with scarce any semblance of humanity, rather like wild beasts. Some were tearing at hard crusts of bread, others at meat of the worst kind; men belaboured the women and thrust them back, snatching the food out of their thin hands. And they in their turn clutched at them and tore their hair, scratching their faces in their madness. One or two had infants in their arms, parodies of childhood.
"It is terrible!" said Mistress Newbolt, her pale face paling.
"Here is gold," she said to the keeper; "go fetch me food! I will give it them. And look you," she continued, "that you are just, and bring me full measure for the money."
Her stern eyes stared straight into Knight's, and he, as if affrighted, looked away; nevertheless he took the gold and departed to do her bidding.
Mistress Newbolt faced the opening again and called out, "Peace, peace!"
Her words were received with a loud yell.
"Peace? There is no peace here."
"Peace, peace, God's peace be with you!" she continued; and then in a loud voice, which rose above the turmoil, she began:
"Our Father which art in heaven."
Shrieks of mockery greeted her words.