This question is based on Literary Principles. 'He would hear the heavy uneven breathing of the child. It was as if she were carrying a weight with great ef...

Answer Details

The man's reactions to the presence of the dying child, as described in the passage, show that he is compassionate. This is evident from his concern for the child's well-being, as seen in his prayer for her peace and his willingness to sacrifice his own peace for hers. The description of the child's heavy, uneven breathing and the metaphor of her carrying a weight up a long hill also suggest that she is in distress, and the man's concern for her indicates a sense of compassion and empathy.