Prejudices painfully gathered through the ages of the past, Sacred
Opinions, Customs, Favors and Honors of the World that is, in the times
that are."

"You have indeed paid The Price," said the soft voice of the other, "but
still, still there is one thing more."

"And the one thing more?" asked the Pilgrim, "I knew not that there
could be one thing more."

The Keeper of the Temple was silent for a little, then said very gently:
"Is there nothing, O Hadji, that you would ask Thyself?"

Then all at once the Pilgrim understood. Said he slowly: "There is still
one thing more. Tell me, tell me--Why? Why The Law of the Pilgrimage?
Why the journey so long? Why the way so hard? Why is the Temple of Truth
here on the Outer-Edge-Of-Things?"

And Thyself answered clearly: "He who lives always within Things can
never worship in Truth. Eyes blinded by the fog of Things cannot see
Truth. Ears deafened by the din of Things cannot hear Truth. Brains
bewildered by the whirl of Things cannot think Truth. Hearts deadened by
the weight of Things cannot feel Truth. Throats choked by the dust of
Things cannot speak Truth. Therefore, O Hadji, is the Temple of Truth
here on the Outer-Edge-Of-Things; therefore is The Law of the
Pilgrimage."

"And The Price?" asked the Pilgrim; "It was so great a price. Why?"

Thyself answered: "Found you no bones in the Desert? Found you no graves