“One does not set oneself free from your father. It is he who decides whether one remains with him or must leave him.
“There is nobody who is stronger than Joh Fredersen. He is like the earth. As regards the earth we have no will either. Her laws keep us eternally perpendicular to the centre of the earth, even if we stand on our head.... When Joh Fredersen sets a man free it means just as much as if the earth were to shut off from a man her powers of attraction. It means falling into nothing.... Joh Fredersen can set free whom he may; he will never set free his son....”
“But what,” answered Freder, speaking feverishly, “if a man overcomes the laws of nature?”
“Utopia, Mr. Freder.”
“For the inventive spirit of man there is no Utopia: there is only a Not-yet. I have made up my mind to venture the path. I must take it—yes, I must take it! I do not know the way yet, but I shall find it because I must find it....”
“Wherever you wish, Mr. Freder—I shall go with you....”
“Thank you,” said Freder, reaching out his hand. He felt it seized and clasped in a vice-like grip.
“You know, Mr. Freder, don’t you—” said the strangled voice of Josaphat, “that everything belongs to you—everything that I am and have.... It is not much, for I have lived like a madman.... But for to-day, and to-morrow and the day after to-morrow....”
Freder shook his head without losing hold of Josaphat’s hand.
“No, no!” he said, a torrent of red flowing over his face. “One does not begin new ways like that.... We must try to find other ways.... It will not be easy. Slim knows his business.”