10

  Againicewasfloatingdowntherivers,andastofvioletsrosefromuherottenleaves.Goldmundwalkedthroughthecolorfulseasons:hisinsatiableeyesdrankintheforests,themountains,theclouds;hewanderedfromfarmtofarm,fromvillagetovillage,fromwomantowoman.Manyacoolevenianguished,withagheart,underalightedwindow;fromitsrosyshimmerradiatedallthatinessandhomeandpeaearth,allthatwaslovelyandunreachableforhim.Everythieditselfoverandover,allthethihoughthehadetoknowsowell;everythiurned,adiffereime:thelongwalksacrossfieldah,oralongstonyroads,sleepinginthesummerforest,strollsthroughvillages,trailingafterbandsofyounggirlsinghome,handinhand,froverthehayatheringhops;thefirstshudderofautumn,thefirstangryfrosts—everythingcamebace,twidlesslythecolorfulribbonrolledpasthiseyes.

  Muchrain,muowhadfallenonGoldmund.Onedayheclimbeduphillthroughasparsebeechforestalreadylightgreenwithbuds.Fromthemountainridgehesawanewlandscapelyingathisfeet;itgladdenedhiseyesandafloodofexpectations,desires,andhopesgushedthroughhisheart.Forseveraldayshehadknownthathewasclosetothisregion;hehadbeenlookingforwardtoit.Now,duringthisnoonhour,itcameasasurpriseandhisfirstvisualimpressionfirmedandstrengthenedhisexpectations.Throughgraytrunksandsoftlyswayingbrancheshelookeddownintoavalleylyinggreenandbrown,furrowedbyawideriverthatshimmeredlikeblueglass.Hefeltthathispathlessroamingthroughlandscapesofheath,forest,andsolitude,withanisolatedfarmhereandthere,orashabbyvillage,wasoverforalongtime.Dowheriverflowed,andalongtheriverrahemostbeautifulandfamousroadsintheempire.Aridbountifullandlaythere,bargesandboatssailedthere,theroadledtobeautifulvillages,castles,cloisters,andprosperoustowns,andanyonewhosodesiredcouldtravelalongthatroadfordaysandweeksandhatitwouldsuddeeroutinaforestorinhumidreedslikethosemiserablepeasantpaths.Somethingnewlayaheadandhewaslookingforwardtoit.

  Thateveninghecametoabeautifulvillage,wedgedbetweentheriverandredvineyardsalongthewidehighway.Theprettywoodworkonthegabledhousesaintedred;therewerearchedentrancewaysandnarrowalleysfullofstoeps.Afethrewaredfieryglowacrossthestreet;heheardtheclearringingoftheanvil.Goldmundsnoopedaboutineveryalleyander,scellardoorsforthesmellofwinebarrelsandalongtheriverbankforthecoolfishodorofthewater;heiedchurdcemeteryanddidnettolooodbarnforthenight.Butfirsthewaryhisluckatthepriestshouseandaskforfood.Aplump,red-headedpriestaskedhimquestionsandGoldmundtoldhimthestoryofhislife,withafewomissionsandadditions.Thereuponhewasgivenafriendlyreceptionaheeveninginlongversationoodfoodandwihedayhetinuedhisjourhehighway,alongtheriver.Hesawbargesandraftsfloatby;hepassedhorsecarts,andsomeofthemgavehimarideforastretchoftheway.Thespringdaysspedby,filledwithcolor:villagesandsmalltownsreceivedhim;womensmiledbehindgardenfences,kinthebrowh,plantingbulbs;younggirlssanginthevillagestreetsintheevening.

  Ayoungservantgirlinamillpleasedhimsomuchhespenttwodaysintheareaandtriedtogettoknowher.Shelikedtolaughandchatwithhim;hethoughthewouldhavebeenhappytoworkatthemillandstaythereforever.Hesatwiththefishermen;hehelpedthecartersfeedandbtheirhorses,wasgivenbreadaandarideinexge.Thesociableworldoftravelersdidhimgoodafterthelongloneliness;withagoodmealeveryday,aftersomuger,hegladlylethimselfbecarriedalongbythejoyouswave.Itswepthimon,andtheclottothebishopscity,themorecrowdedandjoyfulthehighwaybecame.

  Inonevillagehetookaneveningstrollalongtheriver,withthetreesalreadyihewaterraly,mightily;thecurrentsighedandgusheduheingrootsoftrees;themooncameupoverthehill,castinglightontheriverandshadowsuhetrees.Hecameuponagirlwhowassittingthere,weeping:shehadquarreledwithherlover;hehadwalkedoffaher.Goldmundsatdownbesideherandlisteohersorrowfultale;hecaressedherhand,toldherabouttheforestandthedeer,fortedheralittle,madeherlaughalittle,andshepermittedhimakiss.Butatthatpointheryoungmancamebacklookingforher;hehadcalmeddownatedthequarrel.WhenhefoundGoldmundsittingbesideher,hethrewhimselfuponhimandhammeredathimwithbothfists.Goldmundhaddifficultydefendinghimself,butfinallyhefoughtthefellowoff,andwatchedhimruncursingtowardthevillage;thegirlhadlongsincefled.ButGoldmunddidnottrustthetruce;herenouncedhisbedforthenightandwanderedonhalfthenightinthemoonlight,throughasilentsilverworld,extremelytent,gladofhisstronglegs,untilthedewwashedthewhitedustfromhisshoesandhesuddeired,laydowheree,andfellasleep.Itwasbroaddaylightwhenhewasawakenedbysomethingtighisface.Hebrusheditasidewithasleepy,gropinghand,fellasleepagain,wasoncemoreawakehetig;apeasantgirlwasstandingthere,lookingathim,tighimwiththetipofawillowswitch.Hestumbledtohisfeet.Withasmiletheyoeachother;sheledhimintoashed,wherethesleepingwasmorefortable.Theretheylaytogetherforawhile,thensheranoffandcamebackwithasmallpailofmilk,stillwarmfromthecow.Hegaveherabluehairribbonhehadretlyfoundireet,andtheykissedoncemorebeforehewanderedon.HernamewasFranziska;hewassorrytoleaveher.

  Thateveninghefouerinacloister,amhewenttomass.Athousandmemorieswelledupinhisheart;thecoolstoneairofthedomeandtheflappingofsandalsinthemarblecorridorsfeltmovinglyfamiliar.Aftermass,whenthecloisterchurchhadgrow,Goldmundremainedonhisknees.Hisheartwasstrangelymoved;hehadhadmahatnight.Hefelttheurgetounburdenhimselfofhispast,togehislifesomehow,hekwhy;perhapsitwasonlythememoryofMariabronnandofhispiousyouththatmovedhim.Hefelttheurgetofessandpurifyhimself.Manysmallsins,manysmallviceshadtobeadmitted,butmostheavilyhefeltburdehedeathofViktor,whohaddiedbyhishand.Hefoundafatherandfessedtohim,especiallythekabsinpoorViktorsnedback.Oh,howlongsincehehadbeentofession!Thenumberaofhissinsseemedsiderabletohim;hewaswillingtodoastiffpehem.Buthisfessorseemedfamiliarwiththelifeofthewayfarers:hewasnotshocked;helistenedcalmly.Earandfriendly,hereprimandedandwarhoutspeakingofdamnation.

  Relieved,Goldmundstoodup,prayedinfrontofthealtarasthefatherhadorderedandwasabouttoleavethechurchwhenarayofsunshihroughohewindows.Hiseyesfollowedit;inasidechapelhesawastatuethatspoketohimslyandattractedhimsomuchthatheturowarditwithlovingeyesandlookedatitwithreverenddeepemotion.Itwasawoodenmadonna.Delicately,gentlysheleanedforward;thebluecloakhungfromhernarrowshoulders;shestretchedoutadelicate,girlishhand,andtheexpressionofhereyesabovethegrievingmouthandthegracefullyroundedforeheadweresoaliveaiful,sodeeplypermeatedwithspiritthatGoldmundthoughthehadneverseenanythinglikeitanywherebefore.Hecouldnotlookenoughatthemouth,atthelovelyaheinedneck.Itseemedtohimthathesawsomethingstandihathehadoftenseenindreamsandinklings,somethinghehadoftenwishedfor.Severaltimesheturogo;againandagaiuedrewhimback.

  Whenhefinallyturoleave,thefatherfessorwasstandingbehindhim.

  "Doyoufindherbeautiful?"heaskedinafriendlytone.

  "Inexpressiblybeautiful,"saidGoldmund.

  "Thatswhatsomepeoplesay,"saidthepriest."Otherssaythatthisisnomod,thatsheismuodernandworldly,thatthewholethingisuntrueandexaggerated.Thereisagreatdealoftroversyaboutit.Soyoulikeher;Imglad.Wevehadheronlyforayear,adonationfromabeorofourorder.ShewasmadebyMasterNiklaus."

  "MasterNiklaus?Whoishe,wheredoeshelive?Doyouknowhim?Tellmeabouthim,please!Whatamagnifit,blessedmanwhocreateaworklikethat."

  "Idontknowmuchabouthim.Heisacarverinourbishopscity,adaysjourneyfromhere;hehasagreatreputationasanartist.Artistsusuallyarenosaints,hesprobablynosaiher,buthecertainlyisagifted,high-mindedman.Ihaveseenhimafewtimes…"

  "Oh,youhaveseenhim!Whatdoeshelooklike?"

  "Youseempletelyfasatedwithhim,myson.Well,gotoseehimthen,andgivehimregardsfromFatherBonifazius."

  Goldmundthankedhimexuberantly.Thefatherwalkedoffwithasmile;foralongtimeGoldmundstoodbeforethemysteriousstatue,whosebosomseemedtoheaveandinwhosefauchpainanesswerelivingsidebysidethatitmadehisheartache.

  Heleftthechurchagedman.Hisfeetcarriedhimthroughapletelygedworld.Simomentinfrontofthesweetsaintlywoodenfigure,Goldmundpossessedsomethinghehadnotpossessedbefore,somethinghehadsooftenmockedorenviedinoal!Hehadagoal.Perhapshewouldreachit;perhapshiswhedexistencewouldgrowmeaningfulandworthwhile.Thisnewfeelingfilledhimwithjoyandfearandgavewingstohissteps.Thegay,beautifulhighwayonwhichhewaswalkingwasnolongerwhatithadbeenthedaybefore,afestiveplayground,acozyplacetobe.Nowitwasonlyaroadthatledtothecity,tothemaster.Impatientlyhehurriedon.Hearrivedbeforeevening:towersrosefrombehindwalls;hesawchiseledescutsandpaintedsighecitygates,ehpoundi,hardlynotigthenoiseandbustleireets,theknightsontheirhorses,thecartsandcarriages.herknightsnes,orbishopmatteredtohim.HeaskedtheveryfirstpersowhereMasterNiklauslived,andwasdeeplydisappointedwhenthemandidntknowwhoMasterNiklauswas.

  Hecametoasquaresurroundedbystatelyhouses,manypaintedordecoratedwithimages.Overthedoorofahousestoodthefigureofalainrobust,laughingcolors.Itwasnotasbeautifulasthestatueinthecloisterchurch,butithadsuchaushingoutitscalvesandstigitsbeardedintotheworldthatGoldmundthoughtthisfiguremighthavebeehesamemaster.Hewalkedintothehouse,kdoors,climbedstairs;finallyheranintoasquireinafur-trimmedvelvetcoatandaskedhimwherehemightfindMasterNiklaus.Whatdidhewantfromhim,thesquireaskediurn.Goldmundhaddifficultyholdinghimselfbaerelythathehadamessageforhim.Thereuponthesquiretoldhimthehestreetonwhichthemasterlived.BythetimeGoldmundhadaskedhiswaythere,nighthadfallen.Anxiousbuthappy,hestoodoutsidethemastershouse,lookingupatthewindows;healmostranuptothedoor.Butitwasalreadylate,hewassweatyanddustyfromthedaysmarch.Hemasteredhisimpatiendwaited.Foralongtimehestoodoutsidethehouse.Hesawalightgooninawindow,andjustashewasabouttoleave,hesawafiguresteptothewindow,averybeautifulblondgirlwiththegentleshimmeroflamplightflowingthroughherhairfromtheback.

  Them,afterthecityhadawakenedandbeenoisy,Goldmundwashedhisfadhandsinthecloisterwherehehadbeeforthenight,slappedthedustfromhisclothesandshoes,foundhiswaybaastersstreetandkhedoorofthehouse.Aservantappearedwhofirstrefusedtoleadhimtothemaster,buthemaosoftentheoldwomaandfinallysheledhimintoasmallhall.Itwasaworkshopaerwasstandingthere,aleatherapronaroundhiswaist:abearded,tallmanoffortyorfifty,Goldmundthought.Hesedthestrahpierg,paleblueeyesandaskedcurtlywhathedesired.GoldmunddeliveredFatherBonifaziussgreetings.

  "Isthatall?"

  "Master,"Goldmundsaidwithbaitedbreath,"Isawyourmadonnainthecloisterthere.Oh,dontgivemesuunfriendlylook;nothingbutloveandveionhavebroughtmetoyou.Iamnotafearfulman,Ihavelivedawandererslife,sampledforest,snow,andhunger;ImnotafraidofaIamafraidofyou.Ihaveonlyasinglegiganticdesire,whichfillsmyhearttothepointofpain."

  "Andwhatdesireisthat?"

  "Tobeeyourapprentidlearnwithyou."

  "Youarenottheonlyyoungmantowishthat.ButIdontlikeapprentices,andIalreadyhavetwoassistants.Wheredoyouefromandwhoareyourparents?"

  "Ihavenoparents,Iefromnowhere.Iwasastudentinacloister,whereIlearinahenIranaway,andforyearsIhavewaheroads,untiltoday."

  "Andwhatmakesyouthinkyoushouldbeeanimagecarver?Haveyouevertriedanythingsimilarbefore?Haveyouanydrawings?"

  "Ivemademanydrawings,butInolongerhavethem.ButletmetellyouwhyIwishtolearnthisart.Ihavedoneagreatdealofthinkingandseenmanyfadfiguresandthoughtaboutthem,andsomeofthesethoughtshavetormentedmeandgivenmenopeace.Ithasstruckmehowacertainshape,acertainlinerecursinapersonsstructure,howaforeheadcorrespondstotheknee,ashouldertothehip,andhow,deepdown,itcorrespondstothenatureandtemperamentofthepersonwhopossessesthatkhatshoulder,thatforehead,andfuseswithit.Andahinghasstruckme:onenight,asIhadtoholdalightforawomanwhowasgivingbirth,Isawthatthegreatestpainainteasyhavealmostthesameexpression."

  Themastergavethestrangerapierglook."Doyouknowwhatyouaresaying?"

  "Yes,Master,itisthetruth.AnditwasthatpreciselythatIfoundexpressedinyourmadonna,tomyutterdelightandsternation,thatiswhyIhavee.Oh,thereissuchsufferinginthebeautifuldelicatefadatthesametimeallthesufferingisalsopurejoy,asmile.WhenIsawthat,afireshhme;allmyyear-longthoughtsanddreamsseemedfirmed.Suddenlytheywerenolongeruseless;IknewimmediatelywhatIhadtodoandwhereIhadtogo.DearMasterNiklaus,Ibegyouwithallmyheart,letmelearnwithyou!"

  Niklaushadlisteentively,withoutmakingafriendlierface.

  "Youngman,"hesaid,"youknowsurprisinglywellhowtospeakaboutart,anditpuzzlesmethat,youngasyouare,youhavesomuchtosayaboutecstasyandpain.Idgladlychatwithyouaboutthissomeeveningofwilook:tospeakpleasantlyandintelligentlywitheachotherisnotthesameaslivingandwtogetherforacoupleofyears.Thisisaworkshop.Workiscarvedhere,notversation.Whatamanmayhavethoughtupandknowhowtoexpressdoesnotthere;hereonlywhathemakewithhishandsts.Youseemtomeanwhatyousay.ThereforeIllnotsimplysendyouonyourwayagain.Wellseeifyoudoanythingatall.Didyouevershapeanythinginclayorwax?"

  Goldmundfoundhimselfthinkingofadreamhehadlongagoinwhichhehadmodeledsmallclayfiguresthathadstoodupandgrownintogiants.Buthedidionitandsaidthathehadried.

  "Good.Youlldrawsomethihereisatable;youllfindpaperandcharcoal.Sitdownanddraw,takeyourtime,youstaytillnoonorevening.Perhapsthatwilltellmewhatyoodfor.Nowthen,wehavetalkedenough.Illdomywork;youlldoyours."

  GoldmundsatinthechairNiklaushadindicatedtohim,infrontofthedrawingtable.Hewasinnohurrytoaplishhistask.Firsthesat,waitingandsilentlikeanappreheudent.Withcuriosityandlovehestaredtowardthemaster,whosebackwashalfturnedandwhotioworkatasmallclayfigure.Attentivelyhestudiedthisman,whosestern,alreadyslightlygrayingheadandhard,thoughnobleandanimatedartisanshandsheldsuchgracefulmagic.HelookeddifferentthanGoldmundhadimagined:older,moremodest,soberer,muchlessradianta-winning,andnotintheleasthappy.Themercilesssharpnessofhisprobingeyeswasnowtratedonhiswork.Freedfromit,Goldmundmiookiersentirefigure.Thismahought,mightalsohavebeenascholar,aquietearsearcher,whohasdedicatedhimselftoataskthatmanypredecessorshavebegunbeforehim,thathewillonedayleavetohissuccessors,atenacious,long-livednever-endingwork,theaccumulationoftheeffortanddedianygeions.AtleastthiswaswhatGoldmundreadfromthemastershead:greatpatience,yearsofstudyandthinking,greatmodesty,andanawarenessofthedubiousvalueofallhumaaking,butalsofaithinhismission.Thelanguageofhishandswassomethingelseagain;therewasatradibetweenthehandsandthehead.Thesehandsreachedwithfirmbutextremelysensitivefingersintotheclaytheyweremolding.Theytreatedtheclaylikealovershandstreatthewillingmistress:lovingly,withtenderlyswayiion,greedybutwithoutdistinguishiweentakingandgiving,filledwithdesirebutalsowithpiety,masterfulandsureasthoughfromthedepthofaexperienundwatchedtheseblessedhandswithdelightedadmiration.Hewouldhavelikedtodrawthemaster,haditnotbeenforthetradibetweenfadhandswhichparalyzedhim.

  Foraboutanhourhewatchedthesteadilywartist,fullofseargthoughtsaboutthesecretofthisman.Thenanebegantoforminsidehim,tobeevisibleinfrontofhissoul,theimageofthemanhekofall,whomhehadloveddeeplyalyadmired;andthisimagewaswithoutflawortradi,althoughittooboremanylinesandrecalledmanystruggles.ItwastheimageofhisfriendNarcissus.Itgrewmoreandmoretangible,becameay,awhole.Theinnerlawofthebelovedpersonappearedmoreandmoreclearlyinhispicture:thenobleheadshapedbythemind;thebeautifultrolledmouth,tightenedandenheserviind;theslightlysadeyes;thehaggardshouldersanimatedwiththefightforspirituality;thelohedelicate,distinguishedhands.Notsincehisdeparturefromthecloisterhadheseenhisfriendsoclearly,possessedhisimagesopletelywithinhim.

  Asthoughinadream,will-lessaeager,Goldmundcautiouslybegantodraw.Withlovingfingershebrushedreverentlyoverthefigurethatlivedinhisheart;hefotthemaster,himself,andtheplaceatwhichhesat.Hedidnotnoticethelightslowlywanderingacrosstheworkshop,orthemasterlookihimseveraltimes.Likeasacrificialritualheaplishedthetaskthathadbeengivenhim,thathishearthadgivenhim:togatherhisfriendsimageandpreserveitthewayitlivedinhissoultoday.Withoutthinkingofit,hefeltheayingbackadebt,showinghisgratitude.

  Niklaussteppeduptothedrawingtableandsaid:"Itsnoon.Imgoi;youealossee—didyoudrawsomething?"

  HesteppedbehindGoldmundandlookedatthelargesheet.Thenhepushedhimasideandcarefullytookthesheetinhisablehands.Goldmundhadeoutofhisdreamandwasnowlookingatthemasterwithanxiousexpectatioerstood,holdingthedrawinginbothhands,lookingatitverycarefullywithhissharpsternlight-blueeyes.

  "Whoisthemanyouhavedrawnhere?"heaskedafterawhile.

  "Myfriend,ayoungmonkandscholar."

  "Fine.Washyourhands,theresawellintheyard.Thenwellgoa.Myassistantsareheyrewoutsidethecity."

  ObedientlyGoldmuout,foundthecourtyardandthewell,washedhishandsandwouldhavegivenmuchtoknowthemastersthoughts.Whenhecameback,themasterwasgone;heheardhimrummagingaboutintheadjoiningroom.Whenhereappeared,hetoohadwashedhimselfandworeabeautifulclothjacketinsteadoftheapron;helookedsolemnandimposiheaflightofstairs—thereweresmallcarvedangelsheadsonthewalnutbanisterposts—liholdaatues,intoabeautifulroomwithfloor,walls,andceilingofpolishedwood;atablehadbeeninthewindower.Ayounggirlcamerunningin.Goldmundkwasthebeautifulgirloftheeveningbefore.

  "Lisbeth,"themastersaid,&quanotherplate.Ivebroughtaguest.Heis—well,Idontevenknowhis."

  Goldmundsaidhisname.

  "Goldmundthen.Isdinnerready?"

  "Inamiher."

  Shefetchedaplate,ranoutandsoourhthemaid,whoservedthemeal:porkwithlentilsandwhitebread.Duringthemealthefatherspokeofthisandthatwiththegirl,Goldmundsatinsileealittleaveryillateaseandapprehehegirlpleasedhimgreatly,astately,beautifulfigure,almostastallasherfather,butshesat,well-manneredandpletelyinaccessibleasthoughbehindglass,anddidnotspeaktothestranger,orlookathim.

  Whentheyfiing,themastersaid:"Illrestforhalfanhour.Yougodowntotheworkshoporstrollaroundabitoutside.Afterwardswelltalk."

  Goldmundbowedslightlyaout.Ithadbeenanhourormoresihemasterhadseenhisdrawing,andhehadnotsaidawordaboutit.owaitanotherhalfhour!Well,therewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit;hewaited.Hedidnotgointotheworkshop;hedidnotwanttoseehisdrawingagainjustnow.Hewentintothecourtyard,satdownontheedgeofthewell,andwatchedthethreadofwatertrigendlesslyfromthepipeintothedeepstonedish,makingtinywavesasitfell,alwayscarryingalittleairdownwithit,whichkeptrisingupinwhitepearls.HesawhisowhedarkmirrorofthewellandthoughtthattheGoldmundwhowaslookingupathimfromthewaterhadlongsinceceasedbeingtheGoldmundofcloisterdays,orLydiasGoldmund,oreventheGoldmundoftheforests.Hethoughtthathe,thatallmen,trickledaway,gingstantly,untiltheyfinallydissolved,whiletheirartist-createdimagesremainedungeablythesame.

  Hethoughtthatfearofdeatherhapstherootofallart,perhapsalsoofallthingsofthemind.Wefeardeath,weshudderatlifesinstability,wegrievetoseetheflowerswiltagainandagain,andtheleavesfall,andinourheartsweknowthatwe,too,aretransitoryandwillsoondisappear.Whenartistscreatepicturesandthinkerssearchforlawsandformulatethoughts,itisiosalvagesomethingfromthegreatdanceofdeath,tomakesomethingthatlastslohanwedo.Perhapsthewomanafterwhomthemastershapedhisbeautifulmadonnaisalreadywiltedordead,andsoooo,willbedead;otherswillliveinhishouseahistable—buthisworkwillstillbestandingahundredyearsfromnow,andlowillgoonshimmeringinthequietcloisterchurginglybeautiful,foreversmilingwiththesamesad,flmouth.

  Heheardthemasteredownstairsandranintotheworkshop.MasterNiklausag;severaltimeshelookedatGoldmundsdrawing;finallyhewalkedtothewindowandsaid,inhissomewhathesitant,drymanner:"Itisaryforanappreudyatleastfouryears,andforhisfathertopayfortheapprenticeship."HepausedandGoldmundthoughtthemasterwasafraidthathecouldnotpayhim.Quickaslightning,hepulledouthiskthestitchesaroundthehiddengoldpiedhelditup.NiklauswatchedhiminsurpriseandbrokeoutlaughingwhenGoldmundhandedhimthe.

  "Ah,isthatwhatyouthought?"helaughed."No,youngman,youkeepyoldpiece.Listennow.Itoldyouhuildarilydealsrentices.ButIamnoordinarymaster,norareyouanordinaryapprentice.Usuallyanapprenticebeginshisapprenticeshipatthirteenorfourteen,fifteenatthelatest,andhalfofhislearningyearsarespentrunningerrandsandplayingtheservant.Butyrownman;accte,youcouldlonghavebeenjourneymanormastereven.uildhasneverhadabeardedapprentice.Besides,asItoldyoubefore,Idontliketokeepanapprentimyhouse.Nordoyoulooklikeamanwholetshimselfbeorderedabout."

  Goldmundsimpatiencewasatitspeak.Everyhoughtfulwordfromthemasterputhimoerhooks;itallseemeddisgustinglybai.Vehementlyhecried:"Whydoyoutellmeallthis,ifyoudontwanttomakemeyourapprentice?"

  Firmlythemastertinued:"Ihavethoughtaboutyourrequestforanhour.Nowyoumusthavethepatieolistentome.Ihaveseenyourdrawing.Ithasfaults,butitisbeautiful.Ifitwereiful,Iwouldhavegivenyouhalfaguilderayouonyourwayandfottenaboutyou.ThatisallIwishtosayaboutthedrawing.Iwouldliketohelpyoubeeanartist;perhapsthatisyourdestiny.Butyouretoooldtobeeanapprentidonlyanapprenticewhohasservedhistimebeejourneymanandmasterinuild.Nowyouknowtheditions.Butyoushallbeallowedtogiveitatry.Ifyoumaintainyourselfinthiscityforawhile,youmayetomeandlearhings.Therewillbenoobligation,notract,youleaveagainwheneveryouchoose.Youmaybreakacoupleknivesinmyworkshopandruinacoupleofwoodblocks,andifweseethatyourenowoodcarver,youllhavetotryyourskillatotherthings.Doesthatsatisfyyou?"

  Ashamedandmoved,Goldmundhadheardhiswords.

  "Ithankyouwithallmyheart,"hecried."Iamhomeless;Illbeabletokeepaliveinthiscityaswellasinthewoods.Iuandthatyoudontwishtoassumeresponsibilityformeasforayoungapprentice.Isideritagreatfortuobeallowedtolearnfromyou.Ithankyoufromthebottomofmyheartfordoingthisforme."松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读

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