The first inhabitants gathered round the sanctuary, and on that sanctuary and the gods that dwell there the peasant founds his hopes of increase on what he sows and plants, and of prosperity for his wife and children and cattle and all that he has.

In destroying his shrines you ruin his hopes, and with them all the joy of life.

I know the peasant; he believes that his labors must be vain if you deprive him of the gods that make it thrive.

He sows in hope, in the swelling of the grain he sees the hand of the gods who claim his joyful thanksgiving after the harvest is gathered in.

You are depriving him of all that encourages and uplifts and rejoices his soul when you ruin his shrines and altars!" "But I give him other and better ones," replied Mary.
"Take care then that they are such as he can appreciate," said Demetrius gravely.