...of dignity

MAY 5 All are agreed that our progress has been good.

A boy of twelve has joined us. He is large, with big, loose hands which are steady on arms made heavy by hard work. His shoes are in fair condition, though his clothing is little better than rags. I asked him about himself; he was silent - not out of suspicion, I think - silence was his way of showing dignity. Poor kid, he has little else left. His shoes are stiff with sweat; his feet have obviously done many miles in them. But he was unwilling to say where his home had been. Jetter began by calling him Jack, and, since we know other name for him, Jack it will be.

[The Journal of Albion Moonlight, Patchen, K.]