At first, Daniel rejects the idea of carrying the Roman soldier's heavy pack, his anger and hate taking over. The Roman soldier, who has a legal right to demand this duty, knocks Daniel down for spitting on his pack.

Daniel changes his mind, however, and picks up the pack when he sees that Thacia, disguised now as a man, does so. She is trying to protect them, for, as she says to Daniel as they walk, he could have been killed for his defiance. She also doesn't want Rosh's plans exposed, so it is important that they behave loyally to the Romans. She also is thinking about Jesus's words of love and all he is doing for Leah. The two stagger along for a mile under the heavy packs.

The incidence's deeper significance is theological. Jesus preaches that even Romans belong in the inclusive circle of love. Jesus preaches that people should turn the other cheek and that if a Roman soldier asks you to carry his pack for a mile, you should carry it two, because love extends to one's enemy. Through Thacia's example, the words of Jesus are starting to sink in, and Daniel is beginning, slowly, to live by that creed. At this point, Thacia's modeling of Jesus's love and caring matters a good deal to Daniel.