And precisely that seemed, in a strange way, like a new mask.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes?\u201d said Hans Castorp.<\/p>\n
The man cleared his throat. Then he smiled briefly, as if he wanted to put the matter into a light form that it does not have.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2026 saw each other yesterday,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hans Castorp nodded. It was a neutral nod that says: I remember, but I confirm nothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am Philipp Morgenstern,\u201d said the man. \u201cAnd\u2026\u201d He paused, as if he had to endure himself. \u201c\u2026yesterday I was the donkey.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the word \u201cdonkey\u201d without bitterness, but also without pride. It had the quality of a confession. And Hans Castorp felt that the word, comical as it was, struck him \u2013 not because he felt pity, but because confessions in such houses, at such heights, always have something contagious: you listen and do not know whether you yourself are next.<\/p>\n
\u201cHerr Morgenstern,\u201d said Hans Castorp politely.<\/p>\n
Morgenstern looked at him as if searching for a hold.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay I\u2026\u201d he began. \u201cMay I tell you something? It is\u2026 it is unedifying to say this here at the edge of the pool, between chlorine and lemon water, but perhaps this is exactly the right place, because here one pretends anyway to be pure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hans Castorp said nothing. The silence was his form of permission.<\/p>\n
Morgenstern took a deep breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never want to be the donkey again,\u201d he said. \u201cThe donkey who claims that the grass is blue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hans Castorp looked, almost involuntarily, out through the glass front of the hall. Outside lay snow. No grass was to be seen. And inside there was water, blue, clearly blue.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything is blue here,\u201d said Hans Castorp, more to himself than to Morgenstern. \u201cEven that which would not have to be blue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morgenstern followed his gaze and laughed briefly \u2013 a dry laugh that came more from exhaustion than from humor.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he said. \u201cBut you know\u2026 I did not say that in jest. I have\u2026 I have twisted things. I have\u2026\u201d He faltered. \u201cI have twisted my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n