Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 1
Theprefectwasthereagainanditwashisvoicethatwassayingthathewastogetup,thatFatherMinisterhadsaidhewastogetupanddressandgototheinfirmary.Andwhilehewasdressinghimselfasquicklyashecouldtheprefectsaid:
—WemustpackofftoBrotherMichaelbecausewehavethecollywobbles!
Hewasverydecenttosaythat.Thatwasalltomakehimlaugh.Buthecouldnotlaughbecausehischeeksandlipswereallshivery:andthentheprefecthadtolaughbyhimself.
Theprefectcried:
—Quickmarch!Hayfoot!Strawfoot!
Theywenttogetherdownthestaircaseandalongthecorridorandpastthebath.Ashepassedthedoorherememberedwithavaguefearthewarmturf-colouredbogwater,thewarmmoistair,thenoiseofplunges,thesmellofthetowels,likemedicine.
BrotherMichaelwasstandingatthedooroftheinfirmaryandfromthedoorofthedarkcabinetonhisrightcameasmelllikemedicine.Thatcamefromthebottlesontheshelves.TheprefectspoketoBrotherMichaelandBrotherMichaelansweredandcalledtheprefectsir.Hehadreddishhairmixedwithgreyandaqueerlook.Itwasqueerthathewouldalwaysbeabrother.Itwasqueertoothatyoucouldnotcallhimsirbecausehewasabrotherandhadadifferentkindoflook.
