Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 3
Onthedresserwasaplateofsausagesandwhitepuddingandontheshelftherewereeggs.Theywouldbeforthebreakfastinthemorningafterthecommunioninthecollegechapel.Whitepuddingandeggsandsausagesandcupsoftea.Howsimpleandbeautifulwaslifeafterall!Andlifelayallbeforehim.
Inadreamhefellasleep.Inadreamheroseandsawthatitwasmorning.Inawakingdreamhewentthroughthequietmorningtowardsthecollege.
Theboyswereallthere,kneelingintheirplaces.Hekneltamongthem,happyandshy.Thealtarwasheapedwithfragrantmassesofwhiteflowers;andinthemorninglightthepaleflamesofthecandlesamongthewhiteflowerswereclearandsilentashisownsoul.
Hekneltbeforethealtarwithhisclassmates,holdingthealtarclothwiththemoveralivingrailofhands.Hishandsweretremblingandhissoultrembledasheheardthepriestpasswiththeciboriumfromcommunicanttocommunicant.
—CORPUSDOMININOSTRI.
Coulditbe?Heknelttheresinlessandtimid;andhewouldholduponhistonguethehostandGodwouldenterhispurifiedbody.
—INVITAMETERNAM.AMEN.
Anotherlife!Alifeofgraceandvirtueandhappiness!Itwastrue.Itwasnotadreamfromwhichhewouldwake.Thepastwaspast.
—CORPUSDOMININOSTRI.
Theciboriumhadcometohim.
