"admitted that consciousness is called into existence by the will of a higher power; admitted that this consciousness looks out upon the world and says ‘i am;’ and admitted that the higher power wills that the consciousness so called into existence, be suddenly extinguished (for so for some unexplained reason it is and must be) still there comes the eternal question why must i be humble through all this? is it not enough that i am devoured, without my being expected to bless the power that devours me? surely surely i need not suppose that somebody there will be offended because i do not wish to live out the fortnight allowed me? i don’t believe it.