Part 2 (1/2)
Strongest and fiercest breed. Eat people up. Frighten everybody. Ravage countryside. Beautiful myth! Teaches power is greatest thing. Might gives right. Force over all!”
”Certainly, Highly Exalted,” said Schmuck humbly, ”it is a wonder-beautiful myth, full of true idealism. But what if it lost its purely mythical quality and became historical, actual, contemporaneous?
Would it not change its aspect? Would not people object to it? Might not the Werwolf get himself disliked?”
”Perhaps,” answered MWAW, smiling till his eyes almost disappeared. ”But what difference? Ignorant people, weak people, no account. Werwolf is stronger race, therefore superior. Objections silly.”
”True, Exaltedness,” said Schmuck. ”It is the first duty of every ideal to realize itself. Yet in this particular matter the complaints are very bitter. It is said that great numbers of helpless men and women have been devoured, their children torn in pieces, their farms and gardens ravaged, and their houses destroyed by Werwolves quite recently. Shall I deny it?”
”No,” growled MWAW. ”Don't be a fool. It is too well known. We know it ourselves. We are the wolf-pack. Don't deny it. Justify it. That's your business. Earn your salary.”
Schmuck was as nearly embarra.s.sed as it is possible for a professor to be.
”Willingly, Exaltedness,” he stammered. ”But the trouble is to find the basic arguments. Even among the Hivites and the Hitt.i.tes, I have not yet discovered any traces--”
”Nonsense,” snapped MWAW. ”Hivites and Hitt.i.tes are dead. WE are alive.
Justify US. Think!”
”Pardon, Highly Exalted,” said Schmuck, ”I was trying to think. The first justification that occurs to me is the plea of necessity--biological necessity.”
”It sounds good,” grunted MWAW. ”But vague. Explain.”
”A biological necessity is a thing that knows no law. It is the inward urge of every living creature to expand its own life without regard to the lives of others. It is above morality, because whatever is necessary is moral.”
”Excellent,” exclaimed MWAW. ”We have felt that ourselves. Continue.”
”Now, doubtless, the Highly Exalted are often hungry.”
”Always,” interrupted MWAW, ”say always!”
”Always being hungry,” droned Schmuck, ”the Highly Exalted may feel at certain times the craving for a certain kind of food in order to obtain a more perfect expansion. To need is to take. Is it not so?”
”It is,” said MWAW, ”and we do. Find another argument.”
”Self-defense,” replied Schmuck.
”Too old,” said MWAW. ”Worn out. Won't go any more.”
”But as I shall put it, Highly Exalted will see a newness in it. The best way to defend oneself is by injuring others. Sheep, for example, when gathered in sufficient numbers are the most dangerous animals in the world. The only way to be safe from them is to attack them and scatter them. Especially the small flocks, for that prevents their growing larger and becoming more dangerous. Particularly should the sheep with horns be attacked. Sheep have no right to have horns. Wolves have none. But even the hornless sheep and the lambs should not be spared, for by rending them you may frighten and discourage the horned ones.”
”Capital,” cried MWAW, springing up and pacing the arbor in excitement.
”Just our own idea. Frightfulness increases force. We like to make people afraid. We feel stronger. Essence of Werwolfery. Give another argument, excellent Schmuck. Think once more.”
”The Highly Exalted will forgive me. I cannot, momentarily, bring forth another.”
”What!” snarled an angry voice above the trembling professor. ”Not think of the best argument of all! Forget your creed! Deny your faith!
Wretched Schmuck! Who gave you a place? Who feeds you? Who are WE?”
”The Lord's Anointed!” murmured Schmuck, falling on his knees.