Father Richards must have been somewhat fortunate in his youth, then, having made it that long without having to face the issue of poverty directly.

Malachi gave the returned question some thought, before answering, "overcrowded."

To him, it had been like being stuffed into a barrel filled with eels, slipping and slithering about with no regard for what they crossed over.

"It was nice, of course, but there was little freedom. And the people... they're very different. The dramatics of the city are concerned with more... materialistic things, I suppose, and that was more of a challenge for me. I would rather help the people truly in need."