He looked taller than ever as he sat doubled up on a low seat. "I came to thank you, Princess," he began, "for persuading your exalted parents to spare my poor dear Tuetzi. Of course I don't want to break the law, but he is chained up, and besides, he is such a good dragon that I'm sure nobody _could_ object to my keeping him." "Why are you so anxious not to break the law?" "Because it's wrong to break laws." "And do you never do anything wrong?" "Never. My tutors taught me that people who do wrong are always punished for it. I shouldn't like to be punished at all." "Still, you must have _wanted_ to do bad things now and then." "Now and then I have," he confessed. "Especially lately. But I never _do_ them. You see, bad people are never really liked." "Do you know, Count, what the great German philosopher Nietzsche would call such goodness as yours? He would say it was 'slave-morality.' You only do what other people tell you is right because you're afraid of what they would think of you if you didn't. You have courage enough to master Tuetzi, but you daren't defy what Nietzsche so finely terms 'the Great Dragon of the Law,' which says: 'Thou shalt'--'Thou shalt not.'" "What?" he said in surprise. "Is there another dragon besides Tuetzi? And one that can talk, too! I never heard of _him_!" "Nietzsche was speaking metaphorically, of course," said Edna impatiently. "He meant the human laws and customs and prejudices which a true Superman should soar above. I think you ought to be more of a Superman." "Ought I?" he said, open-mouthed. "What sort of things does a--one of those gentlemen--do?" "Well," said Edna, after refreshing her memory by her notes, "you should begin by 'hating and despising the ideals of the average man'! You should create your own Truth--your own Morality. Obey only your primordial instincts--the Will to Power." "I wonder if I could do all that." "Of course you can, if you are strong enough--and I believe you are." "And what _else_ ought I to do, Princess?" "Well, let me see--oh, yes, you should 'act towards slave or stranger exactly as you think fit.' You should be 'an intrepid experimentalist, ceaselessly looking for new forms of existence.' You must 'be able to bear the sight of others' pain, remembering that you cannot attain the height of greatness----'" "I've grown taller lately," he interjected, "a great deal taller; haven't you noticed it?" "'Attain the height of greatness,'" resumed Edna severely, "if you do not feel within yourself both the will and the power to inflict great suffering! And 'through it all you must exhibit the joyous innocence of a child that is amusing itself.' Do you understand?" "I think I do. It means I must do whatever I feel inclined, without minding what people say. Shall you be pleased with me, Princess, if I do that?" "I shall at least respect you more than I can do while you form your conduct entirely on Sunday School standards."