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CHAPTER XIII.
IN WHICH ATHOTHIS AND PAULUS ANDROCYDES DISCUSS
A MODERN DINNER AND THE SUBJECT OF DIET.
entering, Athothis and Paulus Androcydes
seated themselves at a well laden table as two
jolly hon vivants were about to commence an
epicurean onslaught on several well prepared
and savory dishes, the delicious perfume and spicy odors
of which would have tickled the spiritual palate of
Heliogabalus. " I feel the fragrant aroma of this dinner
permeating and filling my gastronomic soul with
delight," said Paulus Androcydes joyfully. " Oh, this
is bliss! How delightful this immaterial appetite!
Only to think, in my mortal habitation, I suffered from
dyspepsia, and many years since was forced to forswear
good dinners ; but now I am absorbing the very essence
and active principles of stewed terrapin, and am truly
happy. Oh! this reminds me of old times ! Do you
enjoy the same amount of ecstatic pleasure, my Egyptian
friend ?"
" 'T is, indeed, a much more satisfactory way of dining
than that of the material state," answered Athothis;
" for in our present condition we neither have to swallow
nor chew, and there are no rumbling nor grumbling
intestines to disturb. Yes, spiritual digestion is truly
aesthetic and refined. One has the keen sense of taste
increased a hundred-fold, without the vulgar necessity
of really physically eating and drinking."
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