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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland by Olive Schreiner: The stranger crossed his hands upon his knees. "Peter Simon Halket," he
said, "it is easier for a man to die than to stand alone. He who can stand
alone can, also, when the need be, die."
Peter looked up wistfully into the stranger's face. "I should not like to
die myself," he said, "not yet. I shall not be twenty-one till next
birthday. I should like to see life first."
The stranger made no answer.
Presently Peter said, "Are all the men of your company poor men?"
The stranger waited a while before he answered; then he said,--"There have
been rich men who have desired to join us. There was a young man once; and
when he heard the conditions, he went away sorrowful, for he had great
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