Page:Specimens of German Romance (Volume 3).djvu/20

 the course of this discussion the blind man learned my name, and thanked me heartily for my kindness, which he protested he should never forget, at the same time begging to know the place of my abode, where, he said, he hoped to see me shortly.

Upon my asking him in an under tone, whether I could do any thing to relieve his immediate necessities, he replied aloud, “I have only a trifle to solicit.” The openness of the reply annoyed me, and, I suppose, he perceived it, for he instantly added, “I am not ashamed to speak it out frankly, for who in our time does not know that there are many more unfortunate? I, at least, in such a dress, cannot deny my poverty; nor, indeed, is it any disgrace; and at all events it is honourable to any one who endeavours to alleviate it. This honour you have fully merited in showing so much kindness to a perfect stranger, and why should not I publicly avow it?”

This was Hebrew to the driver, who looked round upon us with a smile of wonder, and no doubt thought me more wealthy than wise.