breed. What do you say to that, Mr. Hatter? Finishes him, I think."

"I'm not arguing," I replied. "Ask the Hare."

"Yes, ask me, Man, and although you are repeating yourself, I'll answer
with another question, knowing that here you must tell the truth. Did
you really rear us all for food? Was it for this that you kept your
keepers, your running dogs and your hunting dogs, that you might kill
poor defenceless beasts and birds to fill men's stomachs? If this was
so, I have nothing more to say. Indeed, if our deaths or sufferings at
their hands really help men in any way, I have nothing more to say. I
admit that you are higher and stronger than we are, and have a right to
use us for your own advantage, or even to destroy us altogether if we
harm you."

The Man pondered, then replied sullenly--

"You know very well that it was not so. I did not rear up pheasants and
hares merely to eat them or that others might eat them. Something forces
me to tell you that it was in order that I might enjoy myself by showing
my skill in shooting them, or to have the pleasure and exercise of
hunting them to death. Still," he added defiantly, "I who am a Christian
man maintain that my religion perfectly justified me in doing all these
things, and that no blame attaches to me on this account."

"Very good," said the Hare, "now we have a clear issue. Friend Mahatma,
when those Gates open presently what happens beyond them?"

"I don't know," I answered, "I have never been there; at least not that
I can remember."