Chapter 31
CONCLUSIONIn the midst of this the paupers and the hags talked earnestly
together. Some of those who had been nearest in rank to the late
Chief Pauper and Chief Hag were conspicuous in the debate. All
looked at me and at Almah, and pointed toward the sun, which was
wheeling along behind the distant mountain crest, showing a golden
disc. Then they pointed to the dead bodies; and the hags took the
Chief Hag, and the paupers the Chief Pauper, and laid them side by
side on the central altar. After this a hag and a pauper advanced
toward us, each carrying the sacrificial knife which had belonged
to the deceased.
The hag spoke first, addressing Almah, in accordance with the
Kosekin custom, which requires women to take the precedence in many
things.
"Take this," she said,
