dcupsernails.Erich,too,wouldstareatthefigurewithadmirationandlovingrespectwheneverhehadafreemoment.

    Whenshewasalmostfinished,GoldmundshowedhertotheAbbot.Narcissussaid:"Thatisabeautifulwork,mydearfriend.Wehavenothinginthewholecloisterthatmeasuresuptoit.ImustfesstoyouthatIworriedaboutyouonseveraloccasionsdurimonths.Isawthatyouwererestlessanddisturbed,andwhenyoudisappearedandstayedawayformorethanaday,Isometimesthoughtwithsorrow:perhapshesneveringbadnowyouhavecarvedthiswonderfulstatue.Iamhappyforyouandproudofyou."

    "Yes,"Goldmundsaid,"thestatueturratherwell.Butnowlistentome,Narcissus.Iomakethisagoodstatue,Ineededmyeh,mywandering,myloveaffairs,mycourtshipofmanywomen.ThatisthesourceatwhichIhavedrunk.Soonthewellwillbeempty;Ifeeldryi.IllfinishthisMary,butthenIlltakeagoodlongvacation,Idontknowforhowlong.Illretracemyyouthandallthatwasoncesodeartome.youuandthat?Well,yes.YouknowIwasyuest,andIveakenanypaymentformyworkhere…"

    "Ioftenofferedittoyou,"interruptedNarcissus.

    "Yes,andnotit.Illhavenewclothesmade,aheyreready,IllaskyouforahorseandafewgoldpiedthenIllrideoutintotheworld.Saynothing,Narcissus,anddonotbesad.ItisnotthatIdontlikeithereanymore;Icoulderoffanywhereelse.Somethingelseisatstake.Willyoufulfillmywish?"

    Theyspokeaboutitnoldmundhadmadeforhimselfaplainridingoutfitandboots,andassummerdrewnear,hepletedtheMaryfigureasthoughitwerehislastwork.Withlovingcarehegavethehands,theface,thehairtheirfinishingtouch.