Chapters 15 and 16 Summary

When Goldmund arrives in Niklaus's city, he is overwhelmed by a feeling of homesickness that he never before had experienced. Close to tears, he walks the familiar streets until he arrives at the master's door. He recognizes the old woman who answers but she will not let him in, even when he identifies himself. She says Master Niklaus is dead. Crushed, he pushes past her and rushes up the stairs, calling for Lisbeth. When she appears, he is shocked to see her bent over, yellow, and wrinkled from disease. She refuses his offer of help and insists that he leave. He goes to a tavern and then to the fish market, where he remembers how the sight of dying fish used to pain and anger him. A young woman with dark eyes calls his name, but he does not recognize her...