Swiftcurrent Creek des knaben wunderhorn

the expressiveness of the mädchen face held mahler in thrall for the simple fact that he did not think his features could ever move in such a way. and yet he did not care for the pain behind her lack of an answer, the way it crumpled her countenance with the weight of grief. he saw there what had happened, writ into the few words chusi offered: a man who was no longer about had fathered her young ones, but she alone bore the punishment of their birth.
mahler wished to ask the woman who tended her, who allowed her respite from the young, but knew she received none; omega. she was worthless to those above, or so he should have regarded her. "you will not be alone now." less a declaration than a statement of intent; the young woman was a mother and therefore valuable to swiftcurrent. "call upon me when i am needed, chusi."
the gargoyle gathered himself then, for tasks must not be left unfinished, but he would not depart her until she had responded.