But he did not turn his head, nor move hand or foot, even when they were close to him.

He looked so solid and determined to stand still where he was, in the door of his shop, that you might have taken him for an enormous lay figure of a man, made of carved oak and dressed up for a sign to his own business.

The two lads touched their ragged woollen caps and stood looking at him, wondering whether he would ever move.

At last his grey eyes twinkled.
"Have you never seen a Christian before ?" he inquired in a deep gruff voice.
He did not seem to be in a good humour.

The boys drew back somewhat in awe, and sat down to rest on the stones by the wall.