"Yes; they have left all the petty meannesses to man."
"You do not think very highly of men."
"None does who thinks, who compares them with the beasts."
"We are what we are born," rejoined Gemnon; "some are beasts, some are men, and some are men who behave like beasts."
"But none, thank God, are beasts that behave like men," retorted Tarzan, smiling.
Xerstle, entering from his room, interrupted their conversation. "I have gathered my things together," he said; "I shall send a slave for them presently." His manner was short and brusque. Gemnon merely nodded in assent, and Xerstle departed.
"He does not seem pleased," commented the ape-man.
"May Xarator have him!" ejaculated Gemnon; "though he would serve a better purpose as food for my lions," he added as an after-thought; "if they would eat him."
"You own lions?" inquired Tarzan.
"Certainly," replied Gemnon. "I am a lion man and must own lions. It is a caste obligation. Each lion man must own lions of war to fight in the service of the Queen. I have five. In times of peace I use them for hunting and racing. Only royalty and the lion men may own lions."