water-cresses, he soon perceived a large cave, at the entrance of
which sat an aged hermit. "Ah," said the Stranger to himself, "this
is indeed fortunate! This good and venerable man, who passes his life
amid the secrets of nature, can surely tell me what I wish to know."
Saluting the Hermit, he sat down and told the old man the object of
his quest.

"I am afraid you are looking for what you will not find," said the
Hermit. "Most people are too silly to be truly interested in any
thing. They herd together like cattle, and do not know what is good
for them. There are now on this mountain-side many commodious and
comfortable caves, all of which would be tenanted if people only knew
how improving and interesting it is to live apart from their
fellow-men. But, so far as it can be done, I will help you in your
quest, which I think is a worthy one. I can do nothing for you
myself, but I have a pupil who is very much given to wandering about,
and looking for curious things. He may tell you where you will be
able to find something that will interest everybody, though I doubt
it. You may go and see him, if you like, and I will excuse him from
his studies for a time, so that he may aid you in your search."

The Hermit then wrote an excuse upon a piece of parchment, and,
giving it to the Stranger, he directed him to the cave of his pupil.

This was situated at some distance, and higher up the mountain, and
when the Stranger reached it, he found the Pupil fast asleep upon the
ground. This individual was a long-legged youth, with long arms, long
hair, a long nose, and a long face. When the Stranger awakened him,
told him why he had come, and gave him the hermit's excuse, the
sleepy eyes of the Pupil brightened, and his face grew less long.

"That's delightful!" he said, "to be let off on a Monday; for I
generally have to be satisfied with a half-holiday, Wednesdays and
Saturdays."

"Is the Hermit very strict with you?" asked the Stranger.

"Yes," said the Pupil, "I have to stick closely to the cave; though I
have been known to go fishing on days when there was no holiday. I
have never seen the old man but once, and that was when he first took
me. You know it wouldn't do for us to be too sociable. That wouldn't
be hermit-like. He comes up here on the afternoons I am out, and
writes down what I am to do for the next half-week."

"And do you always do it?" asked the Stranger.

"Oh, I get some of it done," said the Pupil; "but