And when the hermit said, "Thou hast done well, and I thank thee; but now begone," he only answered, "What avails it, when I am resolved to serve thee ?" So at last there came a day when the hermit said, "It may be that it is ordained; wherefore abide, my Son." And the boy answered, "Even so, for I am resolved to serve thee." Thus he remained.

And thenceforward the hermit's garden throve as it had never thriven before.

For, though he had skill, the hermit was old and feeble; but the boy was young and active, and he worked hard, and it was to him a labour of love.

And being a clever boy, he quickly knew the names and properties of the plants as well as the hermit himself.

And when he was not working, he would go far afield to seek for new herbs.