Page 20 (1/2)

saints, the rows and rows of saints, I began to laugh softly and confidentially in the Master's ear

"They're all talking, st themselves as if they were the Venetian Senators "

I heard his low, subdued laughter in answer "Oh, I think the Senators are more decorous, Amadeo I've never seen them in such informality, but this is Heaven, as I said "

"Ah, Master, look there A saint holds an ikon, a beautiful ikon Master, I have to tell you- " I broke off The fever rose and the sweat broke out on me My eyes felt hot, and I couldn't see "Master," I said "I a I have to put it in the trees " How could he knohat I ht out of coherent recollection and through the wild grasses with the sacred bundle in my keep, the bundle that had to be unwrapped and placed in the trees "Look, the ikon "

Honey filled me It was thick and sweet It came from a cold fount, but it didn't oblet stirred so that all that was bitter dissolved in the fluids of it, dissolved in a vortex to leave only honey and a dreamy warmth

When I opened my eyes, I was in our bed I was cool all over The fever was gone I turned over and pulled myself up

My Master sat at his desk He was reading over what he had apparently just written He had tied back his blond hair with a bit of cord His face was very beautiful, unveiled as it were, with its chiseled cheekbones and smooth narrow nose He looked at me, and his mouth worked the miracle of the ordinary smile

"Don't chase theseall the while that I slept "Don't go to the church of Torcello to find theo to the s will come back "

"I'm afraid to remember," I said

"I know," he answered

"How can you know?" I asked him "I have it in my heart It'sso bold, but whatever uilt, the boldness came more and more often

"Do you really doubt me?" he asked

"Your endowments are beyond measure We all know it, and we never speak of it, and you and I never speak of it "

"So why then don't you put your faith in s you only half recall?"

He got up from the desk and came to the bed