'He thought, too, that you were very dreadful. But you see, Johannes, that you were mistaken.'
'Oh yes,' said Death good-humouredly, 'men speak much evil of me. I am not attractive to look upon, but I mean well, nevertheless.'
He smiled faintly, as one who is occupied with more serious matters than those he is speaking of. Then he took his dark gaze from Johannes's face, and looked out thoughtfully over the great city.
For a long time Johannes dared not speak; but at last he said in a low voice—
'Are you going to take me with you?'
'What do you mean, my child?' said Death, roused from his meditations. 'No, not now. You must grow up and become a good man.'
'I will not grow to be a man like all the rest.'
'Come, come,' said Death, 'there is no help for it.'
And it was easy to hear that this was a frequent phrase with him. He went on—
'My friend Pluizer can teach you how to become a good man. There are various ways of being good, but Pluizer can teach you admirably. It is a very fine and noble thing to be a good man. You must never look down on a good man, my little fellow.'