reason

The poor beast replied, not without a touch of reason: “Why do you ask me?

“May I venture to inquire the reason of this unexpected visit?” said M.

One of them, turning about, said to him: “That is the very reason why we are so cautious; for if you yesterday treated us better than the Goats you have had so long, it is plain also that if others came after us, you would in the same manner prefer them to ourselves.”

“Death” immediately appeared in answer to his summons and asked for what reason he had called him.