Page:SheAndAllan.pdf/323

Rh  whereof the juice burns and twists the mouth and the stones still stick fast within the gizzard. I tell you, Zikali, that she stuffed my heart with lies.

I daresay, Macumazahn, I daresay, but they were very pretty lies, were they not? And after all I am sure that there was wisdom in them, as you will discover when you have thought them over for a score of years.

Lies, lies, all is lies! But beyond the lies stands Truth, as the White Witch stands behind her veil. You drew the veil, Macumazahn, and saw that beneath which brought you to your knees. Why, it is a parable. Wander on through the Valley of Lies till at last it takes a turn and, glittering in the sunshine, glittering like gold, you perceive the Mountain of everlasting Truth, sought of all men but found by few.

Lies, lies, all is lies! Yet beyond, I tell you, beauteous and eternal stands the Truth, Macumazahn. ''Oho-ho! Oho-ho!'' Fare you well, Watcher-by-Night, fare you well, Seeker after Truth. After the Night comes Dawn and after Death comes what—Macumazahn? Well, you will learn one day, for always the veil is lifted at last, as the White Witch shewed you yonder, Macumazahn.

THE END PRINTED BY THE ANCHOR PRESS LTD., TIPTREE, ESSEX, ENGLAND