"And no one has come from Antioch for this great feast day?" asked Julian.
"None but you, my son. I am the priest, you are the people! We will together offer the victim to the god."
"You have just told me that you received no victims!"
Gorgius rubbed the back of his neck, grinning—
"We received none from others, but there is my own offering. Weve eaten little for three days, Hepherion and I, to save the necessary money. Look!"
He raised the lid of the basket. A tethered goose slid out its head, cackling and trying to escape.
"Ha, ha, ha! is not that a victim?" asked the old man proudly. "Although it isn't a fat young goose it is nevertheless a sacred bird! Apollo ought to be glad of it just now. The gods consider geese a delicacy."
"Have you long dwelt in this temple?" questioned Julian.
"For forty years and perhaps longer...."
"Is this your son?" asked Julian, pointing to Hepherion, who was staring at him as if he were trying to follow the conversation.