"Sea-gull like then I soar-- Not light more swift-- So near to Heaven's door To rock and drift!" Alas! Johannes could not yet do that. He had no wings. He did, indeed, see rays of light at times, and here and there a bit of blue sky. But he could not get to it--he could not get out! And on he went again--upstairs, downstairs, through doorways, halls, and great garrets. And the terrible arms lay everywhere. Again Marjon sang: "Marvelous, matchless blue I cleave in flight. The spheres are not so fleet As my winged feet. "World after world speed by Under my hand, New ones I ever espy, Countless as sand. "Blue of the skies! Blue of the deep! Now make me wise--No more to weep." Johannes also heard the blue calling him; but what the magic word was he could not guess. He was on his knees now, before a small, garret window through which he could barely thrust his arm. Behind him he could hear a shuffling and sliding. It was the long arm again! "It's a shame!" said Wistik again, his little face red with anger, "the way they have maligned me! I ought to be hail-fellow with the Evil One for not letting you be. What a rascal he is! Do you want to be rid of me, Johannes?" "No, Wistik. I believe that you are good even if you have often disappointed me and made me very restless. You have shown me so much that is beautiful. But why do you not help me now? If you call me you ought to help me. "No," said Wistik; "you must help yourself. You must act, you understand? Act! You know that _It_ is behind you, do you not?" "Yes, yes!" shrieked Johannes. "But, boy, do not shriek at me! Shriek at _It_. It is much more afraid of you than you are of It. Try!" That was an idea. Johannes set his teeth, clenched his fists, turned round and shouted: "Out, I say! Out with you--you ugly, miserable wretch!" I even believe he used a swear-word. But one ought to forgive him, because it was from sudden excitement. When he saw that the long arms shriveled and drew away, and that it grew still in the house--when he felt his distress abating and saw the sunlight burst out, revealing a spacious deep-blue sky--then his anger calmed down, and he felt rather ashamed of having been so vehement. "That is good!" said Wistik. "But do not be unmannerly--do not scold. That is hateful. But nevertheless, act, and learn compassion." Johannes was now no longer afraid; he shouted for joy. Yes, he was bathed in tears of thankfulness and relief. Oh, the glorious blue sky! "Now you know it, once for all," said Wistik. Marjon's voice again in song. But this time very different--the air of one of her old songs merely hummed: a customary calling sound--a soft suppressed little tune. And thereupon followed a "tap, tap, tap," at his chamber door, to tell him that it was half-past eight and time to get up. * * * * *