"I am not a wretch; I am simply hungry." There seemed every prospect of an angry scene, when a slight sound attracted the attention of the disputants, and, turning round, they saw an old man standing upon the threshold of their open door.

He was tall, but stooped a good deal.

He had high, thick brows, and a red nose; a long, thick, grizzly beard covered the rest of his countenance.

He wore a pair of spectacles with colored glasses, which, to a great extent, concealed the expression of his face.

His whole attire indicated extreme poverty.