"No, Marjon, you do not understand me; or do you not wish to understand?" said Johannes, sadly. "It is not because I have need of it, but because it is good. It is good to enter a finer life—into a more elevated world. Is it not so, Markus? You understand me, do you not?"
"I understand," said Markus.
"Tell her, then, that she must come too—that it would be better so."
"I don't think it would be better," said Marjon, "and I'm certainly not going with you."
"Tell us, then, Markus, while we have you with us—tell us what we ought to do. We will do as you say."
"I don't know yet whether I will or not," said Marjon.
Then Markus smiled, and nodding toward Marjon, he said: "Look! She knows already we must not promise obedience to any one. Let him who promises obedience promise it to the Father."
"But you are so much wiser than we are, Markus."
"Is it enough that I am wiser, Johannes? Do you not wish to become wiser yourself? Because I can run better, ought you to let me carry you? How will you ever learn to run, yourself?"
Marjon stared at him fixedly, with her flashing, flaming eyes, while two red spots burned upon her pale cheeks. She stepped up to Markus and pressed her hand upon his mouth, exclaiming passionately: