With his wife he was overbearing; with his brother he was insolent; with his apprentice he was sullen; and with his associates at the old Falcone he played the demagogue.

The reason of these phases was very simple.

His wife could not oppose him, Don Paolo would not wrangle with him, Gianbattista imposed upon him by his superior calm and strength of character, and, lastly, his socialist friends applauded him and nattered his vanity.

It is impossible for a weak man to appear always the same, and his weakness is made the more noticeable when he affects strength.

The sinews of goodness are courage, moral and physical, a fact which places all really good men and women beyond the reach of ridicule and above the high-water mark of the world's contempt.
Marzio lacked courage, and his virulence boiled most hotly when he had least to fear for his personal safety.