ry one with looks of so much interest, that she almost
envied them--though it was a generous delight in seeing people so happy
in their occupation, and a desire to associate herself somehow in it,
rather than any grudging of their satisfaction that was in her mind. She
went about all the courts of this palace alone, and everywhere saw the
same work going on, and everywhere met the same kind looks. Even when
the greatest of all looked up from his work and saw her, he would give
her a friendly greeting and a smile; and nobody was too wise to lend an
ear to the little visitor, or to answer her questions. And this was how
it was that she began to talk to another, who was seated at a great
table with many more, and who drew her to him by something that was in
his looks, though she could not have told what it was. It was not that
he was kinder than the rest, for they were all kind. She stood by him a
little, and saw how he worked and would take something from one book and
something from another, putting them ready for use. And it did not seem
any trouble to do this work, but only pleasure, and the very pen in his
hand was like a winged thing, as if it loved to write. When he saw her
watching him, he looked up and showed her the beautiful book out of
which he was copying, which was all illuminated with lovely pictures.

"This is one of the volumes of the great history," he said. "There are
some things in it which are needed for another, and it is a pleasure to
work at it. If you will come here you will be able to see the page while
I write."

Then the little Pilgrim asked him some questions about the pictures, and
he answered her, describing and explaining them; for they were in the
middle of the history, and she did not understand what it was. When she
said, "I ought not to trouble you, for you are busy," he smiled so
kindly, that she smiled too for pleasure. And he said--

"There is no trouble here. When we are not allowed to work, as sometimes
happens, that makes us not quite so happy, but it is very seldom that it
happens so."

"Is it for punishment?" she said.

And then he laughed out with a sound which made all the others look up
smiling; and if they had not all looked so tenderly at her, as at a
child who has made such a mistake as it is pretty for the child to make,
she would have feared she had said something wrong; but she only laughed
at herself too, and blushed a little, knowing that she was not wise: and
to p