hichbelohecloisterandinwhichafatherfromMariabronnofficiatedaspriest.ForthisaltarGoldmundwaomakeastatueofthemadonna,aernalizeinheroheunfettablefiguresofhisyouth,beautifulfearfulLydia,theknightsdaughter.Otherwisethisissionwasoflittleimportaohim;itseemedsuitabletohimforErichsassistantsproject.IfErichdidwell,hedhaveagoodpermapartnerwhocouldreplacehim,freehimtodothoseworksthataloillclosetohisheart.WithErich,hechosethewoodforthealtarandhadhimprepareit.OftenGoldmuhimalone;hehadresumedhisroaming,hislongwalksinthewoods.Oncehewasabsentforseveraldays,andEriotifiedtheAbbot,whoalsofearedthatGoldmundmighthaveleftfood.Buthecameback,workedforaweekoueofLydia,theoroamagain.

    Hewastroubled.Sihepletionofhisbigworkhislifehadbeenindisorder.Hemissedearlymass;hewasdeeplyrestlessanddissatisfied.enthoughtofMasterNiklausandwonderedifhehimselfwouldnotbeesoonwhatNiklaushadbeen,ahard-waledmasterinhiscraft,butunfreeandunyoulyasmalladventurehadgivenhimfoodforthought:ononeofhiswanderingdayshehadfoundayoungpeasantgirlnamedFranziska,whomheliked.Hehadtriedtocharmher,hademployedalltheartsofseduhekhegirllistenedgladlytohischatting,laugheddelightedathisjokes,butsherefusedhisadvances,andforthefirsttimeherealizedthat,toayoungwoman,heseemedanoldman.Hehadnotgoneback,buthehadnotten.Franziskawasright.Hewasolder;hefeltithimself,anditwasnotbecauseofafewprematuregrayhairsandafewwrinklesaroundhiseyes,butrathersomethinginhisbeing,inhismind.Hefoundhimselfold,foundthathehadbeestrangelysimilartoMasterNiklaus.Withillhumorh