"I will not be a man—like the others."
"Come, come!" said Death. "There is no help for it."
It was clear that this was an every-day phrase with him. He continued:
"My friend, Pluizer, can teach you how to become a good man. It can be learned in various ways, but Pluizer teaches it excellently. It is something very fine and admirable to be a good man. You must not scorn it, my little lad."
"Seeking, thinking, looking!" said Pluizer.
"To be sure! To be sure!" said Death; and then, to Pluizer, "To whom are you going to take him?"
"To Doctor Cijfer, my old pupil."
"Ah, yes. He is a good pupil. He is a very fine example of a man—almost perfect in his way."
"Shall I see Robinetta again?" asked Johannes, trembling.
"What does the boy mean?" asked Death.