suddenly said aloud, "A lion in the fleece of the sheep."

"What?" said I, laughing.

"I was thinking of Wholesome," he replied. "But you do not know him. Yet
he has that in his countenance which would betray a more cunning
creature."

"How so?" I urged, being eager to know more of the man who wore the garb
and tongue of Penn, and could swear roundly when moved.

"If it will amuse," said the German, "I will tell you what it befell me
to hear to-day, being come into the parlor when Mistress White and
Wholesome were in the garden, of themselves lonely."

"Do you mean," said I, "that you listened when they did not know of your
being there?"

"And why not?" he replied. "It did interest me, and to them only good
might come."

"But," said I, "it was not--"

"Well?" he added as I paused. "--'Was not honor,' you were going to say
to me. And why not? I obey my nature, which is more curious than stocked
with honor. I did listen."

"And what did you hear?" said I.

"Ah, hear!" he answered. "What better is the receiver than is the thief?