"In any event, we thank you, starman. With our priest gone...."
"Why did your priest leave on such a long journey, Bila? I should think he would be more concerned with the care of his flock."
"The ways of the priesthood are beyond the comprehension of ordinary men. When the Gods speak to them, they obey, no matter how onerous the orders may be. If men must suffer during their absence, it is unfortunate. But it must be."
"Then I'd think that your priests would see to it that someone in the village would know what to do in case of emergency."
"Oh, no!" He seemed horrified at the thought. "Knowledge is for the Gods to give to the chosen ones. Common men would not be worthy of it, for it is certain that they do not have the intelligence to deal with it properly. Only the priests are wise enough to be so honored. Priests and men from the stars," he added, as an afterthought.
"Well, in any event, I hope you don't need me any more...."
"But they did need you," said Cassidy.
"Unfortunately, yes. Four more times in the twenty days before the return of the priest."
"What were the troubles?"