Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/20

 METROPOLIS the flexible keyboard. Soundlessly were orders flashed out to waiting men. .. "The door opened. Nobody was announced. Nobody comes to me unannounced. Only my son," A light below glass-a question. Job Fredersen extinguished the light. The first secretary entered and crossed over to the great Master of Metropolis. "You were right. It was a mistake. It has been rectiBed," he reported, expressionlessly. "Thank you." Not a look. Not a gesture. "The G- bank has been notified to pay you your salary. Good evening." The young man stood motionless. Three, four, five. six seconds flicked off the gigantic time-piece~ Two empty eyes burnt in the chalky face of the young man. impressing their brand of fear upon Freder's vision. One of Joh Fredersen's shoulders made a leisurely movement. "Cood evening," said the young man. in a strangled tone. He went. "Why did you dismiss him, father?" the son asked. "I have no use for him," said Joh Fredersen, still not having looked at his sou. "Why not, father?" "I have no use for people who start when one speaks to them," said the Master over Metropolis. "Perhaps he felt ill . . . perhaps he is worrying about somebody who is dear to him," "Possibly, Perhaps too, he was still under .the effects of the too long night in Yoshiwara. Freder, avoid assuming people to be good, innocent and victimized just because they suffer. He who suffers has sinned, against himself and against others," «You do not suffer, father?" "No,"

"You are quite free from sin?" "The time of sin and suffering lies behind me, Freder." "And if this man, now . . . I have never seen such a thing .. ' but I believe that men resolved to end their lives go out of a room as he did .. ,"

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