He sought me, also, that he might
slay me; but I hid from him beneath a heap of manure. Aye," he gritted
savagely, "I owe my life to a pile of manure!
"These other eleven men all have like tales to tell. Only one woman
survived those awful days. Young Sorplee is her son; his father was a
soldier, whom she herself slew with her own hands. Even she is now dead.
"Well," he finished, after a long pause, "when the madness had spent
itself, we who remained came from our hiding-places to find our world
laid waste. 'Tis now thirty years since Sorplee's mother died, since we
first looked upon these ruins, and we have made barely a beginning. We
have little heart for the work. Of what use is it, with no women to
start the race afresh?"
Rolla started despite herself. Was this the reason why she, despite her
savagery, had been made so welcome?
"Ye have not told me," said she hurriedly, "why ye and the others all
wear such curious garments when ye eat."
Somat was taken off his guard. He had been chuckling to himself at the
woman's childlike mind. Now he had to look apologetic and not a little
sheepish as he made reply:
"The robes are a mere custom. It were started a great many years ago, by
the founders of a--a--" He tried to think of a simpler expression than
"college fraternity.
Pages:
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147