Mr. Herder did not belie his beginning. He made himself much liked, both by the children and the grown people; and as he said, he gave as little trouble as possible. He seemed a hearty, genial nature, excessively devoted to his pursuits, which were those of a naturalist and kept him out of doors from morning till night; and in the house he shewed a particular simplicity both of politeness and kind feeling; in part springing perhaps from his German nature, and in part from the honest truthful acquaintance he was holding with the world of nature at large. "He acted like a great boy," old Karen said in wondering ridicule, — "to be bringing in leaves, and sticks, and stones, as he was every night, and making his room such a mess she never saw!"
He had soon a marked liking and even marked respect for his young host. With his usual good-humour Winthrop helped him in his quest; now and then offered to go with him on his expeditions; tracked up the streams of brooks, shewed the paths of the mountains, rowed up the river and down the river; and often and often made his uncommon strength and agility avail for something which the more burly frame of the naturalist could not have attained. He was always ready; he was never wearied; and Mr. Herder found him an assistant as acute as he was willing.
"You do know your own woods — better than I do!" — he remarked one day when Winthrop had helped him out of a botanical difficulty.
"It's only the knowledge of the eye," Winthrop replied, with a profound feeling of the difference.
"But you do seem to love knowledge — of every kind," said the naturalist, — "and that is what I like."
"I have very little," said Winthrop. "I ought to love what I can get."
"That is goot," said Mr. Herder; — "that is de right way. Ven I hear a man say, 'I have much knowledge,' — I know he never will have much more; but ven I hear one say, 'I have a little,' — I expect great things."
Winthrop was silent, and presently Mr. Herder went on.
"What kind of learning do you love de best?"
"I don't know, sir, really."