Out of the Past — page 88: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Out of the Past. 85 But a bad woman—she saps the strength of the race; bet- ter a ghoul that lives on the dead.” “Ach!” the woman cried, springing up with her hands before her eyes. “What is it, madame? Have you a headache?” “No—no—a spasm. That is all. Go on, I am wait- ing. “There is nothing more.” 99 “Nothing more? You would not punish them?” “Poor things! How could one punish?” “But they are not poor,” Saline excitedly exclaimed. “They are rich, petted, better dressed, better cared for than good women. Show me as many wives as carefully attended.” “I hope you are mistaken. But, if you are not mis- taken, your nation is waning.” Saline stopped to wonder at the dictum and asked an explanation. “Tt is very simple. When good women are not first in the hearts of men, a nation has already lost its manhood. Inertia creeps upon it, and then come disgrace and dis- ruption.” “How do you know ?” “There have been other nations before yours and they crumbled in the same way.” EONNICOOOKS»€©