He heard the voice of Faith whisper over the heads of the people.

"David, David, do thee speak." Turning, he met her eyes, then rose to his feet, came steadily to the platform, and raised a finger towards the chairman.
A great whispering ran through the audience.

Very many recognised him, and all had heard of him--the history of his late banishment and self-approving punishment were familiar to them.

He climbed the steps of the platform alertly, and the chairman welcomed him with nervous pleasure.

Any word from a Quaker, friendly to the feeling of national indignation, would give the meeting the new direction which all desired.
Something in the face of the young man, grown thin and very pale during the period of long thought and little food in the lonely and meditative life he had led; something human and mysterious in the strange tale of his one day's mad doings, fascinated them.