He was simply quiet and undemonstrative, said little except when asked questions, and spoke, alike to Nigel and Moses, in the soft, low, kindly tones with which one might address very young people.
Going to the stove he took a coffee-pot therefrom and set it on the table.

At the same time, Moses, without requiring to be told, opened the oven and brought forth fried fish, meat of some kind, and cakes of he knew not what, but cared little, for their excellence was unquestionable.
During the meal that followed, Nigel ventured as far as politeness permitted--indeed a little further, if truth must be told--to inquire into the circumstances and motives of his entertainer in taking up his abode in such a strange place, but he soon found that his eccentric friend was not one who could be "pumped." Without a touch of rudeness, and in the sweetest of voices, he simply assumed an absent manner and changed the subject of discourse, when he did not choose to reply, by drawing attention to some irrelevant matter, or by putting a counter question which led away from the subject.

Nigel also found that his host never laughed and rarely smiled, though, when he did so the smile was so slight as merely to indicate a general feeling of urbanity and goodwill, and it was followed instantly by a look of gravity, if not sadness.
Altogether the guest was much perplexed about the host at first, and somewhat constrained in consequence, but gradually he began to feel at ease.

Another discovery that he soon made was, that the hermit treated Moses not as a servant, but as if he were in all respects an equal and a comrade.
After eating for some time in silence, and having tried to draw out his host without success, Nigel changed his tactics and said-- "You were so kind as to speak of me as your guest, Mr .-- -- Mr .-- -- I beg pardon, may I--" "My name is Van der Kemp," said the hermit quietly.
"Well, Mr.Van der Kemp, I must tell you that I am quite willing to accept the position for which Moses hired me--" "No, I didn't," contradicted the negro, flatly yet very gently, both in tone and manner, for long residence with the hermit had apparently imbued him with something of his spirit.
"Well, then," said Nigel, "the position for which Moses _should have_ hired some one else.

('K'rect _now_' whispered Moses.) Of course I do not intend to ask for or accept wages, and also, of course, I accept the position on the understanding that you think me fit for the service.