They say that you are rich and friendless; they say that while you are a just man, you do not know mercy.

These are terrible things to say of any man if they are true." I paused.

The old man looked for a moment as though he were going to strike me with his stick, but he neither stirred nor spoke.

It was evidently a wholly new experience for him.
"Yes," I said, "you are not popular in this community, but what do you suppose I care about that?
I'm interested in your hedge.

What I'm curious to know--and I might as well tell you frankly--is how such a man as you are reputed to be could grow such an extraordinary hedge.