dness," 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 embarrassed 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 Hittites, I have not yet
discovered any traces--"

"Nonsense," snapped MWAW. "Hivites and Hittites 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 horn