Wistik looked at Johannes rather suspiciously.
'What sort of creature are you really, Johannes? There is something—just something—human about you, so to speak.'
'No, no; be easy, Wistik,' said Windekind, 'we are elves. But formerly Johannes saw a good deal of men and their doings. You may trust him entirely. It can do him no harm.'
'Ay, ay, well and good. But I am called the wisest of the sprites—and I studied long and hard before I knew what I know. So now I must be cautious with my learning. If I tell you too much, I shall lose my reputation.'
'But in what book do you think that the truth is to be found?'
'I have read a great deal, but I do not believe that I have ever read that book. It is not the Elves' Book nor the Sprites'. Yet it must exist.'
'The Men's Book perhaps?'
'That I do not know, but I do not think it. For the True Book must bring with it great peace and great happiness. In it there must be an exact explanation of why everything is as it is, so that no one need ever ask or inquire any more. Now men, I believe, have not got so far as that.'
'Oh dear, no!' said Windekind, laughing.
'Is there anywhere such a book?' said Johannes eagerly.