their presence.

From behind him a voice called whimperingly. It was the lion's, the King
of Beasts, squeaky and falsetto with panic. "Master, thou art wise. What
has happened? Tell us."

Had he known how, the Man would have laughed. But the laugh comes later
in the story. Without turning his head, still going away from them he
answered. "It is a punishment for what thou and thy people have done to
me and my Woman, oh, lion."

He had made the answer up on the spur of the moment; he knew no more
than they did what had happened. But he loved inventing and was never
so content as when he was pretending that he was God.

Immediately they forgot the wrong answers he had given them and how he
had deceived them in the past. The leaves rustled as they lifted up
their heads from between their paws. Their voices trembled as one when
they besought him, "Master, stay with us. We are in terror. Make it
leave off."

Turning slowly, he blinked at them through the dimness. Folding his
arms, he regarded them thoughtfully with his legs wide apart. He did it
as he supposed God might have done it. He spoke at last. "It's only just
begun. Why should I make it leave off?"

"Because thou art strong and we are repentant."

Their manner was so humble and adoring that he felt sorry for them.
They had begged his pardon in the same words that he had intended to