denny stood in front of her and denounced the crowd as cowards , recreants , and inhuman monsters who would seek to revenge themselves upon an innocent animal , to say nothing of their damnable injustice-yes , he 'd really said `` damnable , '' with the greatest spirit , and the memory of it made jamie smile , even in the face of the upcoming interview-in driving a young man to exile and perdition out of their own suspicion and iniquity , and could they not seek to find within their own bowels the slightest spark of the divine compassion that was the god-given life of every man ... jamie 's arrival at gates 's headquarters cut short these enjoyable reminiscences , and he straightened himself , assuming the grim demeanor suitable to trying occasions .