Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 3
Thecandlesonthehighaltarhadbeenextinguishedbutthefragranceofincensestillfloateddownthedimnave.Beardedworkmenwithpiousfaceswereguidingacanopyoutthroughasidedoor,thesacristanaidingthemwithquietgesturesandwords.Afewofthefaithfulstilllingeredprayingbeforeoneoftheside-altarsorkneelinginthebenchesneartheconfessionals.Heapproachedtimidlyandkneltatthelastbenchinthebody,thankfulforthepeaceandsilenceandfragrantshadowofthechurch.TheboardonwhichhekneltwasnarrowandwornandthosewhokneltnearhimwerehumblefollowersofJesus.Jesustoohadbeenborninpovertyandhadworkedintheshopofacarpenter,cuttingboardsandplaningthem,andhadfirstspokenofthekingdomofGodtopoorfishermen,teachingallmentobemeekandhumbleofheart.
Hebowedhisheaduponhishands,biddinghisheartbemeekandhumblethathemightbelikethosewhokneltbesidehimandhisprayerasacceptableastheirs.Heprayedbesidethembutitwashard.HissoulwasfoulwithsinandhedarednotaskforgivenesswiththesimpletrustofthosewhomJesus,inthemysteriouswaysofGod,hadcalledfirsttoHisside,thecarpenters,thefishermen,poorandsimplepeoplefollowingalowlytrade,handlingandshapingthewoodoftrees,mendingtheirnetswithpatience.
Atallfigurecamedowntheaisleandthepenitentsstirred;andatthelastmoment,glancingupswiftly,hesawalonggreybeardandthebrownhabitofacapuchin.
