Stiff with fright, Johannes gazed into the deep-set eyes which were fixed upon him. They were very deep and dark, but not cruel--not threatening. After a few moments he breathed more freely, and his heart beat less rapidly. "This is Johannes," said Pluizer. "He has heard of a certain book which tells why everything is as it is; and we are going together to find that book, are we not?" Then Pluizer laughed, significantly. "Is that so? Well, that is good," said Death kindly, nodding to Johannes. "He is afraid he will not find it, but I tell him to seek first, diligently." "Certainly," said Death. "It is best to seek diligently." "He thought that you were so horrible! You see, do you not, Johannes, that you made a mistake?" "Ah, yes," said Death, most kindly. "They speak very ill of me. My outward appearance is not prepossessing, but I mean well." He smiled faintly, like one whose mind was full of more serious matters than those of which he spoke. Then he turned his sombre eyes away from Johannes, and they wandered pensively toward the great town. It was a long time before Johannes ventured to speak. At last, he said softly: "Are you going to take me with you, _now?_" "What do you mean, my child?" said Death, roused from his meditations. "No, not now. You must grow up and become a good man." "I will not be a man--like the others." "Come, come!" said Death. "There is no help for it." It was clear that this was an every-day phrase with him. He continued: "My friend, Pluizer, can teach you how to become a good man. It can be learned in various ways, but Pluizer teaches it excellently. It is something very fine and admirable to be a good man. You must not scorn it, my little lad." "Seeking, thinking, looking!" said Pluizer. "To be sure! To be sure!" said Death; and then, to Pluizer, "To whom are you going to take him?" "To Doctor Cijfer, my old pupil." "Ah, yes. He is a good pupil. He is a very fine example of a man--almost perfect in his way." "Shall I see Robinetta again?" asked Johannes, trembling. "What does the boy mean?" asked Death. "Oh, he was love-struck, and yet fancied himself to be an elf! He, he, he!" laughed Pluizer, maliciously. "No, my dear child, that will never do," said Death. "You will forget such things with Doctor Cijfer. He who seeks what you are seeking must forget all other things. All or nothing." "I shall make a doughty man of him. I shall just let him sec what love really is, and then he will have nothing at all to do with it." And Pluizer laughed gaily. Death again fixed his black eyes upon poor Johannes, who found it hard to keep from sobbing; for he felt ashamed in the presence of Death. Suddenly Death stood up, "I must away," said he. "I am wasting my time. There is much to be done. Good-by, Johannes. We are sure to see each other again. You must not be afraid of me."