By accident it started,' he said coolly, forbiddingly, with the clear implication that the question was absurd. `Four thousand years ago, by accident, and it has been enclosed in magic and religion ever since.'
" `You are telling me the truth, aren't you?'
" `Why shouldn't I? Why should I protect you from the truth? Why should I bother to lie to you? I don't even know who you are. I don't care.'
"`Then will you explain to me what you mean, that it happened by accident,' I pressed.
" Ì don't know. I may. I may not. I have spoken more in these last few moments than I have in years. The story of the accident may be no more true than the myths that delight the others. The others have always chosen the myths. It's what
you really want, is it not?'
His voice rose and he rose slightly out o
