"That," said the man on the grey horse, "is always the answer of ignorance when confronted with the unusual. These gentlemen undoubtedly have very good reason for doing as they do; and besides the night is the time for long strides and deep thoughts, is it not, gentlemen? The habit of vigil is one we sorely need in this distracted modern world. If more men walked and thought the night through there would be less miseries under the sun."
"But, such a cold night!" exclaimed the dumpling man.
"On colder nights than this I have seen children asleep in doorways in the streets of Madrid."
"Is there much poverty in these parts? asked Telemachus stiffly, wanting to show that he too had the social consciousness.
"There are people—thousands—who from the day they are born till the day they die never have enough to eat."
"They have wine," said Lyaeus.
"One little cup on Sundays, and they are so starved that it makes them as drunk as if it were a hogshead."
"I have heard," said Lyaeus, "that the sensations of starving are very interesting—people have visions more vivid than life."
"One needs very few sensations to lead life humbly and beautifully," said the man on the grey horse in a gentle tone of reproof.
Lyaeus frowned.