“Well, in the last few years, the Serpent, who is always upsetting things, happened along again, and found Eve balancing in extreme discomfort on the pedestal, and Lilith resting, exhausted, after a particularly hard day’s pursuit of Adam. And between them was a wall of icy silence.
“He paused and said with his usual courtesy, ‘Ladies, you both seem fatigued. Is it permitted to ask the reason?’ And his voice had all the murmuring of all the doves of Arcady.
“And Lilith replied angrily: ‘I’m sick of hunting Adam. I always catch him and always know I shall. And he wants to be caught, and yet insists on being hunted before he gives me the rewards. Who can keep up any interest in a game like that? If it were not for Eve, who would take up the running if I dropped it, he might go to Gehenna for me!’ ”
“Oh, how true! I like Lilith best!” whispered Joan. She was not smoking now.
“ ‘Strong, but pardonable,’ said the Serpent. ‘And you, dear Lady?’
“And Eve, casting a jealous scowl at Lilith, replied: ‘I’m weary of this abominable pedestal. If you had stood on it off and on for five thousand years, you would realize the cramp it means in the knees. But I daren’t get off, for Adam says no truly nice woman ever would leave it, and it pleases him. If it were not for Lilith, who would be upon it in two seconds, I should be off it in less. And then where should I be? She will go on hunting him, and of course he must have quiet at home.’
“ ‘And you will go on standing on your imbecile pedestal, and of course such boredom makes him restless abroad,’ retorted the other.
“In the momentary silence that ensued, the Serpent looked up at Lilith and narrowed his eyes till they shone like slits of amethyst.
“ ‘My cousin,’ he said, ‘our family was old when Adam was created. He is poor game.’
“ ‘Nobody knows that better than I,’ said Lilith tartly. ‘What do you suppose I hunt him for?’