"Because, if you remain long in my vicinity, you must without fail turn into such a universal disbeliever as I am."
Lorand smiled to himself.
"My child," said Topándy, "you will not catch the infection from me, who am always sneering and causing scandals, but from that other who prays to the sound of bells."
"You mean Sárvölgyi?"
"Whom else could I mean? You will meet this man every day. And in the end you will say just as I do—'If one must go to heaven in this wise, I had rather remain here?'"
"Well, and what is this Sárvölgyi?"
"A hypocrite, who lies to all the saints in turn, and would deceive the eyes of the archangels if they did not look after themselves."
"You have a very low opinion of the man."
"A low opinion? That is the only good thing in my heart, that I despise the fellow."
"Simply because he is pious? In the world of to-day, however, it is a kind of courage to dare to show one's piety outwardly before a world of scepticism and indifference. I should like to defend him against you."