“I am waiting for your answer, Mr. Wondergood.”
So he was really expecting me to reply? Very well.
“It’s very simple, Magnus...you warned me, I admit. To-morrow Toppi will pack my trunks and I shall go back to America to resume my...business.”
“And the Cardinal?”
“What Cardinal? Ah, yes!... Cardinal X. and my billions. I remember. But—don’t gaze at me in such astonishment, Magnus. I am sick of it.”
“What are you sick of, Mr. Wondergood?”
“It. Six secretaries. Brainless old women, snuff, and my Dante Inferno, where they take me for my walks. Don’t look at me so sternly, Magnus. Probably one could have made better wine out of my billions, but I managed to produce only sour beer. Why did you refuse to help me? Of course, you hate human beings, I forgot.”
“But you love them?”
“What shall I say, Magnus? No, I am rather indifferent to them. Don’t look at me so...pityingly. By God, it isn’t worth it! Yes, I am indifferent to them. There are, there were and there will be so many of them that it isn’t really worth while....”
“So I am to conclude that you lied?”