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“ The old man had , in the meantime , been pensive , but on the appearance of his companions he assumed a more cheerful air , and they sat down to eat . The meal was quickly dispatched . The young woman was again occupied in arranging the cottage , the old man walked before the cottage in the sun for a few minutes , leaning on the arm of the youth . Nothing could exceed in beauty the contrast between these two excellent creatures . One was old , with silver hairs and a countenance beaming with benevolence and love ; the younger was slight and graceful in his figure , and his features were moulded with the finest symmetry , yet his eyes and attitude expressed the utmost sadness and despondency . The old man returned to the cottage , and the youth , with tools different from those he had used in the morning , directed his steps across the fields . “ Night quickly shut in , but to my extreme wonder , I found that the cottagers had a means of prolonging light by the use of tapers , and was delighted to find that the setting of the sun did not put an end to the pleasure I experienced in watching my human neighbours . In the evening the young girl and her companion were employed in various occupations which I did not understand ; and the old man again took up the instrument which produced the divine sounds that had enchanted me in the morning . So soon as he had finished , the youth began , not to play , but to utter sounds that were monotonous , and neither resembling the harmony of the old man’s instrument nor the songs of the birds ; I since found that he read aloud , but at that time I knew nothing of the science of words or letters . “ The family , after having been thus occupied for a short time , extinguished their lights and retired , as I conjectured , to rest . ” Chapter 12 “ I lay on my straw , but I could not sleep . I thought of the occurrences of the day . What chiefly struck me was the gentle manners of these people , and I longed to join them , but dared not . I remembered too well the treatment I had suffered the night before from the barbarous villagers , and resolved , whatever course of conduct I might hereafter think it right to pursue , that for the present I would remain quietly in my hovel , watching and endeavouring to discover the motives which influenced their actions . “ The cottagers arose the next morning before the sun . The young woman arranged the cottage and prepared the food , and the youth departed after the first meal . “ This day was passed in the same routine as that which preceded it . The young man was constantly employed out of doors , and the girl in various laborious occupations within . The old man , whom I soon perceived to be blind , employed his leisure hours on his instrument or in contemplation . Nothing could exceed the love and respect which the younger cottagers exhibited towards their venerable companion . They performed towards him every little office of affection and duty with gentleness , and he rewarded them by his benevolent smiles .
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