He was not used to problems; he had only a code, which he had rigidly kept.

He had now a glimmer of something beyond code or creed.
He saw that the shrill Elder was going to speak.

He intervened.

"Thee is charged, David," he said coldly, "with kissing a woman--a stranger and a wanton--where the four roads meet 'twixt here and yonder town." He motioned towards the hills.
"In the open day," added the shrill Elder, a red spot burning on each withered cheek.
"The woman was comely," said the young man, with a tone of irony, recovering an impassive look.
A strange silence fell, the women looked down; yet they seemed not so confounded as the men.

After a moment they watched the young man with quicker flashes of the eye.
"The answer is shameless," said the shrill Elder.