Good! It IS a wilderness,' said the old man with much animation.

'It was a wilderness to me once.

I came here barefoot.

I have never forgotten it.

Thank God!' and he raised his hat from his head, and looked very grave.
'What's the matter?
What is it?
How did it all come about ?' said the old man, laying his hand on the shoulder of Nicholas, and walking him up the street.