He wondered if the old man would succeed in his hobby, if he could make the slavish beggars and thieves in the alleys yonder comprehend this fierce freedom.

They craved leave to live on sufferance now, not knowing their possible divinity.

It was a desperate remedy, this sense of unchecked liberty; but their disease was desperate.

As for himself, he did not need it; that element was not lacking.

In a mere bodily sense, to be sure.