"That sounded most mysterious.
"'Who is the Paraclete?'
"'The man yonder, with the long, dark hair; they call him so; he is a minister, but no ordained one.'
"'But why does he build ships?'
"'It is to be a wonderful ship; he has often preached to us about it; a kind of Noah's ark. We must have firm faith when we build it; then it will be able to sail against wind and waves. And we believe, too, that with each stroke of the axe we are doing a work that is pleasing to the Lord.'
"'Is he a rich ship-owner?'
"'He himself does not own a farthing, but pious people give him as much as he requires.'
"'Whither does the procession go?'
"'Yonder to the public-house. I shall soon follow, when I have seen to my wife and child at home. He preaches over there, and it is wonderful to hear everything that he says. You can go too, because he preaches to all the world, and no one is excluded.'
"I followed the workman's invitation, and also went to the house inside which the procession had disappeared. As it moved farther on, it had increased like a caravan. Porters and sailors had joined it. They filled a large room, evidently a dancing saloon. Above, on the gallery, where at other times the musicians would be, the 'Paraclete' had taken up his position; beside him sat his male and female companions.