You make us sorry for the lepers, who had only a coarse old peasant for their friend and father.

But you, who were so refined, why were you not there, to cheer them with the lights of culture?
Or may I remind you that we have some reason to doubt if John the Baptist were genteel; and in the case of Peter, on whose career you doubtless dwell approvingly in the pulpit, no doubt at all he was a 'coarse, headstrong' fisherman! Yet even in our Protestant Bibles Peter is called Saint.
Damien was _dirty_.
He was.

Think of the poor lepers annoyed with this dirty comrade! But the clean Dr.Hyde was at his food in a fine house.
Damien was _headstrong_.
I believe you are right again; and I thank God for his strong head and heart.
Damien was _bigoted_.
I am not fond of bigots myself, because they are not fond of me.

But what is meant by bigotry, that we should regard it as a blemish in a priest?
Damien believed his own religion with the simplicity of a peasant or a child; as I would I could suppose that you do.

For this, I wonder at him some way off; and had that been his only character, should have avoided him in life.