“Tell me frankly,” he said. “Do you wish to talk or to be silent?”
“I wish to speak to you.”
“I am sorry now I asked you to test Aloui’s powers.”
“Why?”
“Because I fear they made an unpleasant impression upon you.”
“That was not why I made you stop him.”
“No?”
“You don’t understand me. I was not afraid. I can only say that, but I can’t give you my reason for stopping him. I wished to tell you that it was not fear.”
“I believe—I know that you are fearless,” he said with an unusual warmth. “You are sure that I don’t understand you?”
“Remember the refrain of the Freed Negroes’ song!”