"It is not!" said Coth, "and I want none of your impudence, either.
How many times must I tell you that?"
Jurgen scratched his ear reflectively. For he still remembered what
Grandfather Satan had said, and Coth's irritation seemed promising.
"Well, but the women here are all ugly, I wager."
"They are not!" said his father, angrily. "Why do you keep contradicting me?"
"Because you do not know what you are talking about," says Jurgen, egging him on. "How could there be any pretty women in this horrible place? For the soft flesh would be burned away from their little bones, and the loveliest of queens would be reduced to a horrid cinder."
"I think there are any number of vampires and succubi and such creatures, whom the flames do not injure at all, because these creatures are informed with an ardor that is unquenchable and is more hot than fire. And you understand perfectly what I mean, so there is no need for you to stand there goggling at me like a horrified abbess!"
"Oh, sir, but you know very well that I would have nothing to do with such unregenerate persons."
"I do not know anything of the sort. You are probably lying to me. You always lied to me. I think you are on your way to meet a vampire now."
"What, sir, a hideous creature with fangs and leathery wings!"
"No, but a very poisonous and seductively beautiful creature."
"Come, now! you do not really think she is beautiful."