Polykarp felt that his father's visitor was something more than his poor clothing would seem to indicate and that he had hurt his feelings.

He had certainly seen some old anchorites, who led a contemplative and penitential life up on the sacred mountain, but it had never occurred to him that a strong youth could be long to the brotherhood of hermits.

So he said to him kindly: "Hermas--is that your name?
We all use our hands here and labor is no disgrace; what is your handicraft ?" This question roused the young anchorite to the highest excitement, and Dame Dorothea, who perceives what was passing in his mind, said with quick decision: "He nurses his sick father.

That is what you do, my son is it not?
Petrus will not refuse you his help." "Certainly not," the senator added, "I will accompany you by-and-bye to see him.

You must know my children, that this youth's father was a great Lord, who gave up rich possessions in order to forget the world, where he had gone through bitter experiences, and to serve God in his own way, which we ought to respect though it is not our own.