"Nay," said I, "nowhere save here have I been: yet tell me what be these things, folk and people and village."
"God save us," answered the hermit, "art thou demented or very cunning?"
"Nay," said I, "I am my mammy's and dad's boy, and neither Master Demented nor Master Cunning."
Then the hermit shewed his amazement with sighs and crossing of himself, and says he, "'Tis well, dear child, I am determined if God will better to instruct thee."
So then our questions and answers fell out as the ensuing chapter sheweth.
Chap. viii.: HOW SIMPLICISSIMUS BY HIS NOBLE DISCOURSE PROCLAIMED HIS EXCELLENT QUALITIES
Hermit. What is thy name?
Simplicissimus. My name is "Lad."
H. I can see well enough that thou art no girl: but how did thy father and mother call thee?
S. I never had either father or mother.