Alas , poor soul , and we should rather pity him ! '' `` I will pity him when he is by , '' replied Matcham . The blind leper was now about halfway towards them , and just then the sun rose and shone full on his veiled face . He had been a tall man before he was bowed by his disgusting sickness , and even now he walked with a vigorous step . The dismal beating of his bell , the pattering of the stick , the eyeless screen before his countenance , and the knowledge that he was not only doomed to death and suffering , but shut out for ever from the touch of his fellow-men , filled the lads ' bosoms with dismay ; and at every step that brought him nearer , their courage and strength seemed to desert them . As he came about level with the pit , he paused , and turned his face full upon the lads . `` Mary be my shield ! He sees us ! '' said Matcham , faintly . `` Hush ! '' whispered Dick . `` He doth but hearken . He is blind , fool ! '' The leper looked or listened , whichever he was really doing , for some seconds . Then he began to move on again , but presently paused once more , and again turned and seemed to gaze upon the lads . Even Dick became dead-white and closed his eyes , as if by the mere sight he might become infected . But soon the bell sounded , and this time , without any farther hesitation , the leper crossed the remainder of the little heath and disappeared into the covert of the woods . `` He saw us , '' said Matcham . `` I could swear it ! '' `` Tut ! ''
returned XXXXX , recovering some sparks of courage .
Dick Matcham Tut heath hesitation leper pattering seconds shield sight