As Kerœcia approached, her guests arose and joined in the shout “Ho-ra! Ho-ra! Ho-ra!” which went up from the multitude. With a simple gesture, Kerœcia bade them be seated. Then, with a sign of benediction to the four cardinal points, during which time all joined in her prayer, she seated herself, and the feast began.
For three hours they ate, drank and made merry, passing compliments and toasts along the lines of tables, calling pretty sentiments across to one another, until the verge of temperate indulgence was fully reached. Long before this, the children had been released from the table refreshed and ready for a romp under the shade-trees. With a sigh of satisfaction, their elders waited for a signal to rise.
“A libation to the Ineffable One, the Indivisible, I-am-I,” called Ben Hu Barabe, standing back of his wife, holding a patera cup of ivory, having a gold tracery over its surface, and filled to the brim with pulque.
“Om-ah! Om-ah! Om-ah!” was the reverential response.
Ben Hu Barabe faced west, and with a graceful sweep of the arm, poured the liquid on the ground.
“A libation to the Trinity, whose creative, destructive and preservative aspects are everywhere manifest,” said Yermah, as he stood behind Kerœcia, and held up a jeweled cup evenly full of metheglin.
“Om-ah! Om-ah! Om-ah!” responded the assemblage, as Yermah made a low obeisance to the east, and poured out the offering with a wide splash.
“A libation to the four elements of the All Powerful—to earth, air, fire and water—to the four parts of the heavens where His kingdoms are,” said Cezardis, rising, followed immediately by Zoyara, Setos and Hanabusa, each holding an onyx and silver cup brimming over with koumiss.
Each faced a cardinal point and quickly emptied his cup.
A crash of music mingled with the “Om-ahs!” and every eye turned expectantly toward Kerœcia.