dirt if it pleases the dirt," answered the Elephant.

"But afterwards? "said the Tiger. "Afterwards they will see that
Mother Gunga can avenge no insult, and they fall away from her
first, and later from us all, one by one. In the end, Ganesh, we
are left with naked altars."

The drunken Man staggered to his feet, and hiccupped vehemently.

"Kali lies. My sister lies. Also this my stick is the Kotwal of
Kashi, and he keeps tally of my pilgrims. When the time comes to
worship Bhairon - and it is always time - the fire-carriages move
one by one, and each hears a thousand pilgrims. They do not come
afoot any more, but rolling upon wheels, and my honour is increased."

"Gunga, I have seen thy bed at Pryag black with the pilgrims," said
the Ape, leaning forward, "and but for the fire-carriage they would
have come slowly and in fewer numbers. Remember."

"They come to me always," Bhairon went on thickly. "By day and
night they pray to me, all the Common People in the fields and the
roads. Who is like Bhairon today? What talk is this of changing
faiths? Is my staff Kotwal of Kashi for nothing? He keeps the
tally, and he says that never were so many altars as today, and
the fire carriage serves them well. Bhairon am I - Bhairon of the
Common People, and the chiefest of tithe Heavenly Ones today.
Also my staff says -"

"Peace, thou!" lowed the Bull. "The worship of the schools is mine,
and they talk very wisely, asking whether I be one or many, as is