Chapter 35
The days passed by, and Thorkell gradually recovered his strength. Brother Gregorius often came to see him and express deep satisfaction about his speedy recuperation. Bjarni visited even more often, and soon, leaning on his comrade's arm, Thorkell was able to descend from the bed and stroll around the quiet, well-kept, fragrant garden behind the house. That place touched his senses in a way none other ever did. Until now, Thorkell had never known anyone who put work - and hard work it was, too, that was plain to see - in a plot of land solely for the sake of beauty. Back home, people grew turnips, carrots and radishes, and though often he felt something expand in his chest when he looked at a meadow full of flowers in the height of summer, more often than not he would remark to himself, "this is going to make good hay".