“Eat roots and herbs; it is his will,” said the ape-man.

“I am the sayer of the law,” said the grey figure. “Here come all that be new to learn the law. I sit in the darkness and say the law.”

“It is even so,” said one of the beasts in the doorway.

“Evil are the punishments of those who break the law. None escape.”

“None escape,” said the beast folk, glancing furtively at one another.

“None, none,” said the ape-man⁠—“none escape. See! I did a little thing, a wrong thing, once. I jabbered, jabbered, stopped talking. None could understand. I am burnt, branded in the hand. He is great. He is good!”

“None escape,” said the grey creature in the corner.

“None escape,” said the beast people, looking askance at one another.