Eric seized the bowl with a hasty gesture, and greedily consumed the tasty food, feeling as he ate how new strength began gradually to course through his veins. Never had he been so hungry, and this simple fare was in truth the very best dish he had ever eaten in his life!
Gratefully he looked at the young peasant, and at last he spoke:
"I cannot thank thee enough for thy spontaneous hospitality at a moment when without thy help I would surely have died of exhaustion. Thou wast sent me from God, as a sign that in His mercy He desireth me to continue my road. I have come from far, so far that to me it seems as if I had been wandering all my life."
He turned his trustful eyes to the youth, and with the smile which made him dear to every man's heart, he continued:
"Once, it may be years ago, for I have no more count of time, I lived in the palace of a king."
"Oh!" cried the boy, "why didst thou go?"
"Because," answered Eric, "I am seeking for a face which I cannot find—a face that I see in my dreams; so I had to leave all that rich ease and comfort, all that had sweetened my days, and always am I searching and still may have to wander many a mile."
The shepherd stared at him in growing astonishment, almost afraid that his strange guest might be crazy.
"It seems to me," he said, "that there are many faces on this earth; and why must thou journey so far looking for what is so easy to find? Why didst thou leave the king's palace? Forsooth, I would have remained and lived in joy and plenty;" and merrily he laughed, showing two rows of splendid white teeth.
Eric did not smile but replied: