At last the old man finished his fervent prayer and began to gather dates; having got together a huge pile, he gayly carried them into the grotto. The guest met him at the entrance.
“I thought that perhaps you would not have enough to eat with just those dates which you found in my poor dwelling house,” said the kind-hearted host, turning to her, “and see here, I am bringing thee some more still,” and he put down the deliciously sweet fruits right before her.
Roussoudanna, perfectly astounded by such unusual and unheard of goodness and thoughtfulness, thanked the old man with tears in her eyes.
“What does thy painful grief consist in?” he asked—and continued thus: “It is possible that the needs of life have been weighing down on thee?”
“Oh no, wise, dear old man, I have never known what it is to be in need.”
“Well then, did not some severe illness pull thee down and mercilessly deprive thee of thy strength?”
“I am in perfect health and have a strong constitution.”
“Perhaps some dreadful worries did not give thee rest.”
A (the woman). B (the hermit).
A: “I really have nothing to be worried about.”