"Still, Chloris, I already have two wives," says Jurgen, "and it is but fair to confess it." "I thought it was only yesterday you arrived in Leukê." "That is true: for I came with the Equinox, over the long sea." "Then Jugatinus has not had time to marry you to anybody, and certainly he would never think of marrying you to two wives. Why do you talk such nonsense?" "No, it is true, I was not married by Jugatinus." "So there!" says Chloris, as if that settled matters. "Now you see for yourself." "Why, yes, to be sure," says Jurgen, "that does put rather a different light upon it, now I think of it." "It makes all the difference in the world." "I would hardly go that far. Still, I perceive it makes a difference." "Why, you talk as if everybody did not know that Jugatinus marries people!" "No, dear, let us be fair! I did not say precisely that." "--And as if everybody was not always married by Jugatinus!" "Yes, here in Leukê, perhaps. But outside of Leukê, you understand, my darling!" "But nobody goes outside of Leukê. Nobody ever thinks of leaving Leukê. I never heard such nonsense." "You mean, nobody ever leaves this island?" "Nobody that you ever hear of. Of course, there are Lares and Penates, with no social position, that the kings of Pseudopolis sometimes take a-voyaging--" "Still, the people of other countries do get married." "No, Jurgen," said Chloris, sadly, "it is a rule with Jugatinus never to leave the island; and indeed I am sure he has never even considered such unheard-of conduct: so, of course, the people of other countries are not able to get married." "Well, but, Chloris, in Eubonia--" "Now if you do not mind, dear, I think we had better talk about something more pleasant. I do not blame you men of Eubonia, because all men are in such matters perfectly irresponsible. And perhaps it is not altogether the fault of the women, either, though I do think any really self-respecting woman would have the strength of character to keep out of such irregular relations, and that much I am compelled to say. So do not let us talk any more about these persons whom you describe as your wives. It is very nice of you, dear, to call them that, and I appreciate your delicacy. Still, I really do believe we had better talk about something else." Jurgen deliberated. "Yet do you not think, Chloris, that in the absence of Jugatinus--and in, as I understand it, the unavoidable absence of Jugatinus,--somebody else might perform the ceremony?" "Oh, yes, if they wanted to. But it would not count. Nobody but Jugatinus can really marry people. And so of course nobody else does." "What makes you sure of that?" "Why, because," said Chloris, triumphantly, "nobody ever heard of such a thing." "You have voiced," said Jurgen, "an entire code of philosophy. Let us by all means go to Jugatinus and be married."