“What a fool is man!” said the hermit musingly. “He alone of created beings allows himself to be controlled by his appetites, while professing to stand at the head of the universe!”
Robert felt that he was not expected to answer this speech and remained respectfully silent till his host resumed his questioning.
“And you,” said the old man abruptly, “what do you do?”
“Sometimes I go out with my uncle’s boat and catch fish for use at home. Sometimes I find jobs to do in the village which bring in a little money. I am always glad of that, for we can’t buy groceries without money, and my uncle never gives us any. My aunt is very fond of tea, but once for three weeks she had to do without it.”
“That was a pity. There are some who find great comfort in tea.”
“It is so with Aunt Jane. She says it puts new life in her.”
“Have you any money now?”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you of my good luck!” said Robert eagerly. “Just before I left the wreck I dug up this,” and he displayed the purse with the gold pieces in it. “It would have been a pity if I had been drowned with all this in my pocket.”
“My poor boy, your young life would have outweighed a thousandfold the value of these paltry coins. Still I do not depreciate them, for they may be exchanged for comforts. But will not your uncle seek to take them from you?”
“He will not know that I have this money. I shall not tell him.”