All I can say for sure is this--that gods called Tula retain their godship in permanency for a very long time, although at the end some violent fate, which I do not clearly understand, is destined to befall them.

That is my condition as King of the Birds--for no doubt they have told you that I, Jules Peyron--Republican, Socialist, Communist--have been elevated against my will to the honors of royalty.
That is my condition, and it matters but little to me, for I know not when the end may come; and we can but die once; how or where, what matters?
Meanwhile, I have my distractions, my little _agrements_--my gardens, my music, my birds, my native friends, my coquetries, my aviary.
As King of the Birds, I keep a small collection of my subjects in the living form, not unworthy of a scientific eye.

Monsieur is no ornithologist?
Ah, no, I thought not.

Well, for me, it matters little; my time is long.

But for you and Mademoiselle, who are both Korong--" He paused significantly.
"What happens, then, to those who are Korong ?" Felix asked, with a lump in his throat--not for himself, but for Muriel.
The Frenchman looked at him with a doubtful look.