"You are right, Signor Magnus. Who am I, Henry Wondergood, to
undertake the solution of these problems? But I do not intend to solve
them. I merely indicate them. I indicate them and I seek the solution.
I seek the solution and the man who can give it to me. I have never
read a serious book carefully. I see you have quite a supply of books
here. You are a misanthrope, Magnus. You are too much of a European
not to be easily disillusioned in things, while we, young America,
believe in humanity. A man must be created. You in Europe are bad
craftsmen and have created a bad man. We shall create a better one.
I beg your pardon for my frankness. As long as I was merely Henry
Wondergood I devoted myself only to the creation of pigs--and my pigs,
let me say to you, have been awarded no fewer medals and decorations
than Field Marshal Moltke. But now I desire to create people."
Magnus smiled:
"You are an alchemist, Wondergood: you would transform lead into gold!"
"Yes, I want to create gold and I seek the philosopher's stone.
But has it not already been found? It has been found, only you do
not know how to use it: It is love. Ah, Magnus, I do not know yet
what I will do, but my plans are heroic and magnificent. If not for
that misanthropic smile of yours I might go further. Believe in Man,
Magnus, and give me your aid. You know what Man needs most."
He said coldly and with sadness:
"He needs prisons and gallows."