’Goodwife Dolly has told me of Him, and taught me my Pater and Credo, but we have lived far off, and she has not been able to go to church for weeks and years.  But what I long after is to tell me what means all this—­yonder sea, and all the stars up above.  And they will call me a simpleton for marking such as these, and only want me to heed how to shoot an arrow, or give a stroke hard enough to hurt another.  Do such rude doings alone, fit for a bull or a ram as meseems, go to the making of a knight, fair sir?’

’They go to the knight’s keeping of his own, for others whom he ought to defend,’ said the hermit sadly; ’I would have thee learn and practise them.  But for the rest, thou knowest, sure, who made the stars?’

’Oh yes!  Nurse Dolly told me.  She saw it all in a mystery play long long ago—­when a Hand came out, and put in the stars and sun and moon.’

‘Knowest thou whose Hand was figured there, my child?’

‘The Hand of God,’ said Hal, removing his cap.  ’They be sparks to show His glory!  But why do some move about among the others—­one big one moves from the Bull’s face one winter to half-way beyond it.  And is the morning star the evening one?’

‘Ah! thou shouldst know Ptolemy and the Almagest,’ said the hermit smiling, ’to understand the circuits of those wandering stars—­Coeli enarrant gloriam Dei.’

‘That is Latin,’ said the boy, startled.  ‘Are you a priest, sir?’

‘No, not I—­I am not worthy,’ was the answer, ’but in some things I may aid thee, and I shall be blessed in so doing.  Canst say thy prayers?’

’Oh, yes! nurse makes me say them when I lie down and when I get up—­ Credo and Pater.  She says the old parson used to teach them our own tongue for them, but she has well-nigh forgot.  Can you tell me, holy man?’

‘That will I, with all my heart,’ responded the hermit, laying his long delicate hand on Hal’s head.  ’Blessed be He who has sent thee to me!’

The boy sat at the hermit’s feet, listening with the eagerness of one whose soul and mind had alike been under starvation, and how time went neither knew till there was a rustling and a step.  Watch sprang up, but in another moment Simon Bunce, cap in hand, stood before the hut, beginning with ‘How now, sir?’

The hermit raised his hand, as if to make a sign, saying, ’Thou seest I have a guest, good friend.’

Bunce started back with ’Oh! the young Lord!  Sworn to silence, I trust!  I bade him not meddle with you, sir.’

‘It was against his will, I trow,’ said the hermit.  ’He fell over the rock by the waterfall, but since he is here, I will answer for him that he does no hurt by word or deed!’

‘Never, holy sir!’ eagerly exclaimed Hal.  ’Hob Hogward knows that I can keep my mouth shut.  And may I come again?’

Simon was shaking his head, but the hermit took on him to say, ’Gladly will I welcome thee, my fair child, whensoever thou canst find thy way to the weary old anchoret!  Go thy way now!  Or hast thou lost it?’