"It is verily true the hermit life hath its temptations and tribulations," remarked Brother Beissel, so quietly I should not have suspected anything had it not been he was watching my face closely all the while. But with all my simplicity I was not such an utter stranger to his dissimulation that he could wind me about his fingers like wax. "So," I merely responded, "it hath, verily." After a few minutes, during which he coughed lightly a few times and scratched the ground with his stick, he inquired indifferently, "Hast heard of our change on the Cocalico?" "Naught much," I replied, also indifferently, being determined to make him come to the point, if it took all day, for I knew he had something at heart which in good time I should hear. "Hast heard we have almost completed a large building where our Brothers and Sisters may worship?" he inquired. "I have heard so," I made answer, still with seeming indifference. And then he paused even longer than before and scratched the earth thoughtfully, neither of us saying a word. Then he resumed as though partly speaking to himself and partly to me: "This house which we have erected to the glory of God we have called Kedar, 'the house of sorrowfulness'"; after another pause, "it containeth a hall for the meetings and likewise still larger halls furnished for holding the love feasts. There are also a number of _Kammers_ intended for the Solitary, after the manner of the early Greek Church." "Ye have built wisely," I said, still quietly. Then the longest pause of all, at the end of which he placed his hands meekly across his breast, saying to me as he turned about to leave: "When thou art minded to leave thy hermit's life, we shall give thee welcome at Ephrata." He had actually proceeded, but slowly as if in deep thought, almost beyond the farther boundary of my little orchard, when he turned about gravely and came back again like one who had forgotten something. "Now," thought I, "shall I see the kernel of the nut he hath been cracking"; for I had not stirred, knowing he would return, and as he came toward me he said, watching me closely: "Our good Brother Michael Wohlforth exhorteth the Solitary with exceeding harshness and violence." "Still they should heed him for I hear he is a godly man," I replied. "But Brother Weiser and his followers can no longer bear Brother Michael Wohlforth's temper." "A little temper will not hurt the Solitary." "But Brother Wohlforth hath been recalled as teacher," continued Brother Beissel. "There be many among you to take his place," I assured him. "Nay, not so many, for upon the recalling of Brother Wohlforth, he was succeeded by Brother Emanuel Eckerling." "A worthy man," I said strongly. "But he preacheth too long; sometimes he discourseth even six hours without a stop." "Surely he is of most excellent zeal," I murmured, smiling inwardly. "The Solitary incline to think six hours be too long even for preaching," said Brother Beissel doubtfully.