How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
…for a long period the only companions of Oberlus were the crawling tortoises; and he seemed more than degraded to their level, having no desires for a time beyond theirs, unless it were for the stupor brought on by drunkenness. (5.180)
To be alone with the tortoises is seen as being the quintessence of loneliness. But really, aren't the tortoises the ones alone with Oberlus, rather than the other way around? He's way more likely to kill them than they are to hurt him.