METROPOLIS tainly not with my heart. Now you are so far away from me that my voice can no longer reach you. And if it were able to reach you, Job, would you listen to me were I to say to you: Turn back-? You did not do it then and would not do it to-day. Besides, all too much has been done which cannot be undone. yOll have done all too much wrong, Joh, and do not repent, but believe youself to be in the right. How can I advise you then. . . . pI> "It is about Freder, mother.•. p" ".... about Freder?" "Yes." "What about Freder...." .~ Joh Fredersen did not answer immediately. His mother's hands trembled greatly, and, if Joh Fredersen had looked Up. the fact coult net have remained hidden from him. But Job Freelersen's forehead remained sunken upon his hands. ,"1 had"to come to you. mother, because Hel is no longer alive.... "And of what did she die?" "I know: of me.. , , You have made it clear to me, mother, often and cruelly, and you have said I had poured boiling wine into a crystal. Then the most beautiful of glass must ~ack. But I do not ~epent i~. mother. No. I do not repent It... , For Hel was mme.... »And died of it.... » ·~es. Had she never been mine perhaps she would still be alive. Better that she should be dead," "She is, Joh. And Freder is her son." "What do you mean by that, mother?" "If you did not know just .s well as I, Joh, you would not have come to me to-day," Job Fredersen was silent, Through the open window, the rustling of the walnut tree was to be heard. a dreamy, touching sound, . "Freder often comes to you, mother, doesn't he?" asked Joh Fredersen. "Yes," "He comes to you for aid against me...•-
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