THE NINTH MAN
stopped and listened to him for a moment and passed on, laughing. A few old women listened to him, but for the most part he walked unnoticed up and down the streets or was mocked as a fool.
My lady saw him from her window, thus talking at a street corner.
"What does the Brother Minor, Matteo?" says she.
For some time past she had been light of heart; almost had she the gay innocence of a child. It seemed that the aching wound of her spirit had found some ease.
"He preaches," I made reply, "that all in San Moglio shall cease from hating and killing and shall love one another." I spoke bitterly. "He begs them to place their ballots of death upon him, as he is already as one dead, and he has for disciple this blond child with him."
At this she sighs. "Poor, gentle brother!" says she. "Poor gentle flicker of mercy and pity!"
