Manchurian Books

"The gods forbid," he said. "Such primeval punishment is as unknown
among us as is war itself. How little you know my people; how
pitifully your instincts have become--forgive me--corrupted by
living in this barbarous age of yours, fumbling as you do at
civilization. With us death is a sacred rite, the highest tribute
and the last sacrifice to the Absolute. Our dying are carried to the
Temple of the Worshipers of Distance, and are there consecrated.
The limit of our punishment would be aerial exposure--"
"You mean?" cried St. George.
"I mean that in extreme cases we have, with due rite and ceremonial,
given a victim to an airship, without ballast or rudder, and
abundantly provisioned. Then with solemn ritual we have set him
adrift--an offering to the great spirits of space--so that he may
come to know. This," the prince paused in emotion, "this is the
worst that could befall your father."
"How horrible!" cried Olivia. "Oh, how horrible."
"Oh," Mrs. Hastings moaned, "he was born to it. He was born to it.


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