part springing perhaps from his German nature, and in part
from the honest truthful acquaintance he was holding with the
world of nature at large. "He acted like a great boy," old
Karen said in wondering ridicule, -- "to be bringing in leaves,
and sticks, and stones, as he was every night, and making his
room such a mess she never saw!"

He had soon a marked liking and even marked respect for his
young host. With his usual good-humour Winthrop helped him in
his quest; now and then offered to go with him on his
expeditions; tracked up the streams of brooks, shewed the
paths of the mountains, rowed up the river and down the river;
and often and often made his uncommon strength and agility
avail for something which the more burly frame of the
naturalist could not have attained. He was always ready; he
was never wearied; and Mr. Herder found him an assistant as
acute as he was willing.

"You do know your own woods -- better than I do!" -- he remarked
one day when Winthrop had helped him out of a botanical
difficulty.

"It's only the knowledge of the eye," Winthrop replied, with a
profound feeling of the difference.

"But you do seem to love knowledge -- of every kind," said the
naturalist, -- "and that is what I like."

"I have very little," said Winthrop. "I ought to love what I
can get."