"Hadn't we better put it off," Tuta began timidly; the fright had given him such a stomach-ache that he could hardly stand and could not spare a thought even for his beloved Ruru.
"Let's put it off! Let us!" everyone said.
"Cowards, scoundrels, traitors!" Merira cried in a fury. "If you put it off, I will inform against you!"
"But we are thinking of you, Merira," Ay said. "You are ill, you ought to look after yourself...."
"Here is my medicine!" Merira cried, pointing to the poison ring that glittered on his finger. "It shall be as we decided: all will be over in three days' time!"
III
Do not judge me, O Lord, for my many sins! I am a man with no understanding of myself," Merira whispered.
"What are you whispering?" Dio asked.