Why is the right thing to do seldom the easy thing?And are we, as people, as compassionate as we'd like to believe?Jim Cooke, a baker, lends a helping hand to a homeless Vietnam veteran passing through the small town of Wakefield. But he soon discovers his good deed will test both his faith and compassion.This short story, from the author of 'Fender' and 'The Fifteenth of June', explores the influence of popular opinion on morality, and the human tendency to fear what is unknown.