“It grieves me that I cannot aid thee; but thou must have recourse to the Dorado.” “A foolish blunder leaves it without number, also,” said Alcamayn, with a frown, handing the order to a tamane. “Yermah is engrossed with the priestesses caring for the fatherless. Dost thou know that he has issued an edict that all guilds and communes must sup together once in each lunation?” “The Azes are grown lax in hospitality, and we must give them an example,” responded Orondo. The tamane returned with the parchment properly numbered and viséed. “He whom we delight to serve bids thee follow me. He would fain have counsel with thee.” In obedience to the message, Orondo crossed the hall, and passed to the right, avoiding the audience chambers. Yermah had risen and was dismissing the priestesses, after issuing orders on the state granaries for their requirements. “Spare no efforts to make these flowers of humanity happy as birds of air,” he said. “I charge thee to give them plenty of sweets, music and games for their amusement.” “Wilt thou not lend us thy presence?” “Affairs of urgency prevent indulgence of personal desires, but I shall not forget to send best thoughts.” “May Jupiter the beneficent be in the ascendant throughout thy journey.” He made the sign of submission and bent the knee in courtly fashion. “May his jovial and benign rays descend on all thy efforts. Success be with thee and thy wards,” was Yermah’s reply. “The secret of happiness,” said Setos, sententiously, “is in having constant employment for both body and mind. I shall advise—” “What wilt thou advise, Setos?” asked Yermah, as he seated himself at the council table in his private office, where Alcamayn and Orondo had been waiting for him. “Duty compels me to suggest severe measures for women neglecting their households and allowing their children to be seen in filthy rags. Near the Temple of Neptune I complain of three houses unlawfully dirty. It surprised me that Akaza made no mention of this in conference to-day.” “It were possible that he saw them not. He would be for mercy; and so am I.” Yermah was in a genial mood as his voice and manner indicated. “What hast thou done with the offenders?” asked Orondo, quietly. “The first family was warned; the second are now being paraded up and down the street. They have been admonished once before, and if it were in my discretion, they would be soundly whipped. Humiliation may serve with some natures, but corporal punishment is better for others.” “Thou sayest _they_. Whom dost thou mean?” “The father and mother, and two young girls. The law is no respecter of persons.” “And, in addition, thou wouldst have me order them whipped?” “N-o-o; I only wish thy consent to propose the measure at the next council meeting.” Yermah made a gesture of dissent, and asked pointedly: “What punishment hast thou meted out to the third offense?”