Markus had on a dark-blue linen blouse, such as all the patients of the working-class wear. He stood tall and erect, and Johannes observed that his face was less pale and sad than usual. The blue became his dark curling hair, and Johannes felt happy and confident as he looked at him--standing there so proud and calm and handsome. "Take a seat," said Dr. Cijfer. But Markus seemed not to have heard, and remained standing, while he nodded kindly and reassuringly to Johannes. "Observe his pride," said Professor Bommeldoos, in Latin to Dr. Cijfer. "The proud find pride, and the gloomy, gloom; but the glad find gladness, and the lowly, humility," said Markus. Dr. Cijfer stood up, and took his measuring instrument from the table. Then, in a quiet, courteous tone, he said: "Will you not permit us, Mijnheer, to take your head measure? It is for a scientific purpose?" "It gives no pain," added Bommeldoos. "Not to the body," said Markus. Said Dr. Cijfer, "There is nothing in it to offend one. I have had it done to myself many a time." "There is a kind of opinionativeness and denseness that offend." Bommeldoos flushed. "Opinionativeness and denseness! Mine, perchance? Am I such an ignoramus? Opinionated and stupid!" "Colleague!" exclaimed Dr. Cijfer, in gentle expostulation. And then, as he enclosed Markus's head with the shining craniometer, he gave the measurement figures. A considerable time passed, nothing being heard save the low voice of the doctor dictating the figures. Then, as if proceeding with his present occupation, taking advantage of what he considered a compliant mood of the patient, the crafty doctor fancied he saw his opportunity, and said: "Your parents certainly dwelt in another country--one more southerly and more mountainous." But Markus removed the doctor's hand, with the instrument, from his head, and looked at him piercingly. "Why are you not sincere?" he then asked, with gentle stress. "How can truth be found through untruth?" Dr. Cijfer hesitated, and then did exactly what Father Canisius had done--something which, later, he was of the opinion he ought not to have done: he argued with him. "But if you will not give me a direct reply I am obliged to get the truth circuitously." Said Markus, "A curved sword will not go far into a straight scabbard." Professor Bommeldoos grew impatient, and snapped at the doctor aside, in a smothered voice: "Do not argue, Colleague, do not argue! Megalomaniacs are smarter, and sometimes have subtler dialectic faculties than you have. Just let _me_ conduct the examination." And then, after a loud "h'm! h'm!" he said to Markus: " ... Now just tell me, frankly, my friend, are you a prophet? An apostle? Are you perhaps the King? Or are you God himself?" Markus was silent. "Why do you not answer now?" "Because I am not being questioned." "Not being questioned! What, then, am I now doing?" "Raving," said Markus. Bommeldoos flushed, and lost his composure.