The Dreams

Dream 25

She was in the room with me — and no one else. My heart danced, singing with joy. I knew that my happiness would be brief: it wouldn’t be long before the door would open and someone would come in. I longed to tell her that I gladly accepted all the conditions that had been communicated to me, but that I would need at least a brief time to meet them. Yet, enchanted by her presence, I said nothing.

Seized by desire, I took two steps toward her — but then the door swung open. The professor came in. “You don’t know the meaning of time,” he told me sharply. I tore myself away and followed him to his institute, which was opposite our building. There he said to me, “You need to work ten hours a day until you perfect your playing.” He commanded me to sit down to practice the piano, and soon I was engrossed in my labor — while my heart hovered about back in my room.

When I was granted leave, the evening was descending in all its glory. I set out to cover the route quickly, yet there was no hope that she would wait for me all through my absence.

Just then a man from China with a long beard and a smiling face blocked my path. “I was in the institute while you were playing,” he said. “There’s no doubt that a splendid future awaits you.” With a bow in my direction, he left.

I continued on my way, shuddering at the thought of the loneliness that attended me where I lived.