Johannes saw Pluizer take a knife, which he examined carefully, and then went up to the bed.
Then he shook off his lethargy. Before Pluizer could get to the bed he stood in front of him.
'What do you want?' he asked. His eyes were wide open with horror.
'We must see what he died of,' said Pluizer.
'No,' said Johannes, and his voice was as deep as a man's.
'What is the meaning of this?' said Pluizer, with a glare of rage. 'Can you hinder me? Do you not know how strong I am?'
'I will not have it,' said Johannes. He drew a deep breath and set his teeth, staring firmly at Pluizer, and put out his hand against him.
But Pluizer came nearer. Then Johannes gripped him by the wrists and struggled with him.
Pluizer was strong; he knew that; nothing had ever been able to resist him. But he did not leave go, and his will was steadfast.
The knife gleamed before his eyes; he seemed to see sparks and red flames, but he did not give in, and wrestled on. He knew what would happen if he yielded. He knew—he had seen it before. But that which lay behind him was his father, and he would not see it now.