صفحة 207 من 483

"The old man, leaning on his son, walked each day at noon, when

it did not rain, as I found it was called when the heavens poured

forth its waters. This frequently took place, but a high wind

quickly dried the earth, and the season became far more pleasant

than it had been.

"My mode of life in my hovel was uniform. During the morning I

attended the motions of the cottagers, and when they were

dispersed in various occupations, I slept; the remainder of the

day was spent in observing my friends. When they had retired to

rest, if there was any moon or the night was star-light, I went

into the woods and collected my own food and fuel for the

cottage. When I returned, as often as it was necessary, I cleared

their path from the snow and performed those offices that I had

seen done by Felix. I afterwards found that these labours,

performed by an invisible hand, greatly astonished them; and once

or twice I heard them, on these occasions, utter the words _good

spirit, wonderful_; but I did not then understand the

signification of these terms.