Page:Indira and Other Stories.pdf/182

 of their fellows. In my previous discourse I told you how thousands of them will meet together to 'wage war', as they call it. It is coin which is the sole cause of this disastrous custom. In the service of this really maleficent deity men inflict death, wounds, disease, slander, envy, malice, and all uncharitableness upon one another. You will not be surprised, then, that on further consideration I gave up all thought of introducing this dangerous and unsocial cult into our happy and innocent community.

But men do not understand this. I have already explained to you that they are naturally addicted to mutual destruction. In the search for the curious round images of gold and silver which they worship, they will shrink from no action, however foolish and unsocial.

There are many other customs of men as irrational and ludicrous as their marriage customs. But I fear to interfere with your 'business' arrangements if I continue my discourse. Perhaps I may have some other