The Perfectionist

Chapter Seven

Dieter had spent four days in this fashion before his sister had arrived. Still, he continued on with his days, keeping his thoughts inside himself and trying to conceal his worries and chagrin. On the exterior he appeared completely normal and composed, and went about his days as regularly and perfectly as any other monk, attending each mass, fulfilling his role and duties, giving alms to the beggars, and so forth. During the leisure hours he participated however much he could in the discourses of the monks, and participated well, with ample knowledge and strong arguments, so that the monks playfully named him ''Professor Dieter''. Despite this, the nagging trouble lingered and clung unto him, forcing him to think over it again and again, and arrive at terrifying conclusions which he immediately rejected... Some two days after he had received the letter from Katarina, after a heavy rainfall, he was about to open The Sorrows of Young Werther in the library when he caught a glance of Brother Pieter traversing the glass doors to the back garden, and decided to follow. Standing at the threshold, and smelling the damp air, he saw Brother Pieter walking towards a gypsy man- the same miserable gypsy man who he had first encountered some days since- digging away in the garden.
''Dear, Kurt,'' exclaimed Brother Pieter happily, ''On days off from the factory you must rest, and not toil away in gardens!''
''Good afternoon, Brother Pieter. I am sorry, but it will not do to rest.'' he solemnly replied, standing up and removing his hat.
''But you are not even paid for volunteer work!''
''It is what it is.'' he frowned.
''How odd, man, you must rest.''
''It will not do. Tell me, Brother Pieter, what impression would Emil gain if he saw his father idling and sleeping while his family struggles for bread? I must teach him to work hard, you see, he is coming soon with his mother, and he needs to see something of use to him. I would despair if he grows up to be an idler.''
''But could you not pick an easier job?''
''It would not do for him to see his father working an easy job, either. Brother Heinrich was so kind to let me work his garden even though there is already one who works it everyday, Robert I think is his name.''
''Oh, I know that man,'' said Brother Pieter, warily, ''He is not the kindest, Kurt, especially not to your lot.''
''It should not matter to me.''
''Lad, I think it wisest if you took another job, I could ask one of the brothers for what is available, I don't want Robert creating a scene.''
''So then Emil would regard his father as a coward, and learn to flee from hardship, Brother Pieter. I regret to refuse.''
Brother Pieter sighed. Turning around, he caught sight of Dieter on the threshold, and beckoned him to come forward. Dieter descended the steps, and approached the two.
''Kurt, this is our newest novice, the Brother Dieter. Dieter, this is Kurt, a much beloved visitor, who if I remember you have seen before.''
They shook hands, though Dieter's elated and curious expression was suddenly subdued by his companion's stern, miserable, empty gaze, which seemed to attach no reciprocated elation or curiosity towards him, and he felt an absence of warmth in Kurt's gloved hand, which shook firmly and abruptly.
''I was just telling Kurt to select another volunteer job, so, if you would do me a favor, Brother Dieter, to go and ask the abbot for any available ones?''
Dieter was about to leave, when Kurt protested:
''Please, Brother Pieter, you mustn't. I insist. I cannot be a bad example to Emil.''

Just at that moment, they noticed a man walking past the barn, waving to Brother Heinrich, who was about to call his sheep with his hands surrounding his mouth. Brother Heinrich waved gingerly back, and then proceeded to call his flock.
''There he is, good old Robert!'' Brother Pieter sighed.

As he came closer to the garden, and saw the gypsy man, the man suddenly frowned, and furrowed his brows.
''What is this?'' he said, crossing the fence.
''You have a partner today, Robert.''
''And why is he a gypsy? Am I to work with him? I would really rather not, he would steal me blind before I pick up my shovel.''
Kurt donned his hat and started again on his work, seemingly oblivious.
''That is not how we do things here, Robert.'' Brother Pieter sighed again.
''Respected father, forgive me, but I think it best for him to go and clean parks, and not dally with me. I am not comfortable with him here.''
''Fie, Robert, fie!'' exclaimed Brother Pieter sadly, ''We do not accept this here, no, we don't! Would the Lord have smiled down on your action?''
Robert was silent, and gazed at the detested partner with a stern countenance.
''What does the Good Lord want you to do, Robert? Does He not want you to love and respect everyone? You are not doing so, and if you do not do so then you shan't work this garden!''
Dieter, uncomfortable and bewildered, glanced at the gypsy man, though he did not seem to be bothered, and kept digging away as if he was the only soul in the garden.
''Fine, fine, i'll work with the zigeuner, Brother Pieter, but don't blame me if I find my wallet missing!''

Brother Pieter scoffed indignantly and led Dieter and himself back into the library, while the disgruntled Robert established himself on the other side of the garden, donned his gloves, and began to pull out weeds. But, no sooner had Dieter closed the glass doors had he noticed a gypsy woman beyond the fence who seemed to have just arrived: Kurt's wife. Unlike her husband, who wore the common clothes of the time, she was attired in a dark, modest dirndl, and hanging from the very top of her head to her back was a black veil. She stood near the barn, holding a sleeping baby in her arms, and waiting for her young son, who was, much to Brother Heinrich's cautious enjoyment, chasing a frightened lamb around the barn. The gypsy woman seemed to Dieter to be as miserable and dejected as her husband, and, frowning, she stepped away from the lamb fast approaching her, and beckoned her son to leave the timid thing alone.
''I think I see the wife, Brother Pieter.''
''Do you now?'' Brother Pieter replied, standing before a table and flipping through some important papers, ''Do you want to go and greet her?''
''Oh, no, I mustn't disturb her. But would you accept it if I went and sat at the steps?''
''As you wish, but come back before the bells for mass ring.''