Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/211

 quite lost in contemplation of the town; he even for a minute spread out his arms as if he would embrace it, and this enthusiasm, which was perhaps not wholly feigned, was not unbecoming to him.

"What a pity one does not live here and enjoy this view every day! An artist must live and breathe in artistic surroundings. I feel it every time I get out of Copenhagen: one degenerates there. Don't you agree with me that Copenhagen is a dreadful town? "

"Detestable," I answered, though I had never thought much about it; but I wanted if possible to overtrump him.

"All the same it drew you back when you were there," Minna remarked without lifting her eyes from the broad stone steps down which we slowly walked.

"What can one do? A fellow must live, Minna!"

"But you have just said that an artist must live in a place like this in order to be creative."

"That is right, but one must also sell. And works of art are easier sold where artists mix freely in society; it is not flattering to us, but it is true. It was with a heavy heart I bade good-bye in those days, and I feel it doubly on seeing the town again. No, if I had been happy enough to be born here"

"Surely then you would have found your way to Berlin," I said sullenly.

The tears came into Minna's eyes at his words, and possibly it was to turn the conversation that she exclaimed—

"Oh yes, it will be hard when some day one has to leave this sweet town."

"Anyhow, you will not have to go away alone, wherever you may go when you leave for your new home," Stephensen answered very emphatically.

"And we shall not stay away for ever," I added quickly