'Nothing, nothing. Men and numbers—those are real and exist, endless numbers!'
'Then you deceived me, Pluizer. Let me go away—let me seek no more—leave me alone.'
'Have you forgotten what Death told you? That you are to become a man, a complete man?'
'I will not! it is horrible!'
'You must. You wished it once. Look at Doctor Cypher, does he think it horrible? Become like him——'
It was very true. Doctor Cypher seemed always content and happy. Unwearied and imperturbable, he pursued his way, studying and teaching, satisfied and equable.
'Look at him,' Pluizer went on, 'he sees everything, and yet sees nothing. He looks on men as though he himself were a being apart, having nothing to do with their sufferings. He moves among griefs and wretchedness as though he were invulnerable, and meets Death face to face as though he were immortal. All he aims at is to understand what he sees, and everything is good in his eyes that comes in the way of knowledge. He is satisfied with everything so long as he understands it. That is what you must be.'
'But that I can never be.'
'Well, I cannot help that.'
This was the hopeless conclusion of all their discussions. Johannes grew dull and indifferent, and searched and searched, knowing no longer why, or for what. He had become like the multitudes of whom Wistik had spoken.