He lifted his thin hand and said solemnly: "Peace be with thee, my son." Cuthbert bent his head in reverence, and then turned again towards the Father.
"What hast thou done that they should rail at thee thus--thou the friend of the poor, the friend even of the leper?
What has come to them that they turn thus against thee?
Sure, but a few short weeks ago and thou didst hold back an angry crowd by the glance of thine eye." "My son, trust not in the temper of the crowd, in the goodwill of the multitude.

Was it not the same crowd who on the Sabbath shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' that on the Friday yelled, 'Crucify Him! crucify Him!' Never put faith in man, still less in the multitude that is ever swayed like a reed, and may be driven like a wave of the sea hither and thither as the wind listeth.
"And then I was not amongst mine own flock.

I had--rashly, perchance--adventured myself further than I ought, for I had a message of consequence to execute, and I have not been wont to hide myself from my fellow men.

But there is no knowing in these fearful times of lawlessness and savage hate what will be the temper either of rulers or people.

It seems that I am known--that there is some warrant out against me.