"Did it make any difference to you whether your life were taken by
dog or man? The dog killing you from instinct and famine; a man
killing you as a luxury and with a fine calculation? And who is to
blame now for your death, if blame there be? I who went to college
instead of building a stable? Or the storm which deprived these
prowlers of nearer food and started them on a far hunt, desperate
with hunger? Or man who took you from wild Nature and made you more
defenceless under his keeping? Or Nature herself who edged the
tooth and the mind of the dog-wolf in the beginning that he might
lengthen his life by shortening yours? Where and with what purpose
began on this planet the taking of life that there might be life?
Poor questions that never troubled you, poor sheep! But that
follow, as his shadow, pondering Man, who no more knows the reason
of it all than you did."

The fighting of the dogs had for the first few moments sounded
farther and farther away, retreating through the barn and thence
into the lot; and by and by the shepherd ran around and stood
before David, awaiting orders. David seized the sheep by the feet
and dragged it into the saddle-house; sent the dog to watch the
rest of the flock; and ran back to the house, drawing his overcoat
more tightly about him. As quickly as possible he got into bed and
covered up warmly. Something caused him to recollect just then the
case of one of the Bible students.

"Now I am in for it," he said.

And this made him think of his great masters and of Gabriella; and
he lay there very anxious in the night.