Page:The Works of J. W. von Goethe, Volume 3.djvu/23



was sitting under the shadow of a huge crag, on a shaggy, impressive spot, where the steep mountain path turned abruptly round a corner, down into the chasm. The sun was still high, and brightening the tops of the pine-trees in the clefts at his feet. He was looking at something in his note-book, when Felix, who had been clambering about, came to him with a stone in his hand. "What is the name of this stone, father?" said the boy. "I know not," answered Wilhelm. "Can this be gold that glitters in it so?" said Felix. "No, no," replied Wilhelm; “and now I remember, people call it mica, or cat-gold." "Cat-gold!" said the boy, smiling. "And why?" "I suppose because it is false, and cats are reckoned false too." "Well, I will note that," said the son, and put in the stone beside the rest with which he had already filled his pockets. Scarcely was this over when, adown the steep path, a strange enough appearance came in sight. Two boys,