"Alas," sighed Yoomy, "and does he not promise us any good thing, when
we are dead?"

"He speaks not by authority. He but woos us to goodness and happiness
here."

"Then, Babbalanja," said Media, "keep your treasure to yourself.
Without authority, and a full right hand, Righteousness better be
silent. Mardi's religion must seem to come direct from Oro, and the
mass of you mortals endeavor it not, except for a consideration,
present or to come."

"And call you that righteousness, my lord, which is but the price paid
down for something else?"

"I called it not righteousness; it is religion so called. But let us
prate no more of these things; with which I, a demi-god, have but
little in common. It ever impairs my digestion. No more, Babbalanja."

"My lord! my lord! out of itself, Religion has nothing to bestow. Nor
will she save us from aught, but from the evil in ourselves. Her one
grand end is to make us wise; her only manifestations are reverence to
Oro and love to man; her only, but ample reward, herself. He who has
this, has all. He who has this, whether he kneel to an image of wood,
calling it Oro; or to an image of air, calling it the same; whether he
fasts or feasts; laughs or weeps;--that man can be no richer. And this
religion, faith, virtue, righteousness, good, whate'er you will, I
find in this book I hold. No written page can teach me more."

"Have you that, then, of which you speak, Babbalanja? Are you content,