I would not have the jar back for a measure of gold; water has no relish unless you drink it out of the hollow of your hand! The shard is yours.

I should be warring against my own welfare, if I required it back.

God be praised! the craftiest thief can now rob me of nothing save my sheepskin." Stephanus would have thanked him, but he took Hermas by the hand, and led him out into the open air.

For some time the two men walked in silence over the clefts and boulders up the mountain side.

When they had reached a plateau, which lay on the road that led from the sea over the mountain into the oasis, he turned to the youth, and said: "If we always considered all the results of our actions there would be no sins committed." Hermas looked at him enquiringly, and Paulus went on, "If it had occurred to you to think how sorely your poor father needed sleep, you would have lain still this night." "I could not," said the youth sullenly.