I immediately went out into the woods, and spent several hours in filling my hat with mushrooms, which I brought to our neighbour's.
The old man had probably turned the house upside down on the occasion of my last expedition; for every one, from the first cook to the last dog, looked askance at me.
As I opened the door of the sitting-room (I had only one leg and one arm inside), my progress was arrested by Mistress Debora, who hastened over, and shutting the door on my other arm and leg, which consequently remained outside, exclaimed, with hospitable consideration: "Just stay where you are, nephew, and say what you want."
"I only want to beg my dear aunt's acceptance of some mushrooms, which I have gathered for her."
"Eh, well!" she exclaimed, releasing me from my ignominious position. "You have brought mushrooms? that is another thing. Come in."
I entered, and produced the mushrooms.
"That is a good lad! Well, what have you been about? do you still go to school?"
"Oh, dear, no! I have finished my studies."
"So soon! And what business are you going to take up?"
"I am an oculist, aunt."