"Your son is with the Lord."
Adler's head dropped.
"How greedy he is, this Lord!"
"Do not blaspheme. The time will come when you will meet Him."
"When?"
"When your hour strikes."
The old man looked thoughtful. Then he took his watch from his pocket, wound it up, listened to the ticking and said:
"My hour has struck already.... Now you go home, Martin; your wife and daughter and your church are waiting for you. Go and enjoy yourself, look after your services, drink your hock, and leave me alone. I am waiting for the collapse of the whole world, and I shall perish with it. I have no need of friends, and still less of a pastor. Your frightened face bores me."
"Gottlieb, be calm! Pray!"
"Go to the devil!"