The woman said nothing. She pushed the red and white cover half off the table and put down the pan and the plate of salad on the yellow oilcloth underneath. Then, opening the low cupboard, she produced two soup plates and the half of a ring-shaped loaf. Then she poured the thick rice soup into the plates: it was red with tomato and smelt very good. Lastly, she took the empty pan into the back room and returned with a dish of cold potatoes and a pitcher full of water. "I have served," she said. "Is there perhaps anything else you want?" Her voice sounded angry, but Kyr Themistocli took no notice of it. "No, there is nothing. You can go." The stout woman pulled down her sleeves, and untying her apron threw it on the top of the unwashed plates. "As you like." Then, as she opened the door, she added, "A nice work it will be in the morning to have to clean the floor after a shoeblack's dusty feet." Then she passed out and shut the door quickly before Kyr Themistocli could answer. "Eat your soup, and do not mind her," he said to Aleko. "I do not mind her," said Aleko, taking a big spoonful of soup; and after swallowing it, he added sagely, "Women always make much noise." The blind man ate slowly and did not always find his mouth exactly. Aleko saw, now, why there were so many stains on his clothes. When he had finished he pushed his plate back. "Tell me, now, what do they call you?" "They call me Aleko." "From where?" "My mother lives in Megaloupolis, and I was born there and the little ones, but my father was not from there." Kyr Themistocli noticed the past tense. "He is dead, your father?" "Yes, it is two years ago that he died." "And from where was he?" "From Siatista." "Ah, a Macedonian! And what was his name?" "Philippos Vasiliou." "So your name is Alexandros Vasiliou?" Aleko nodded. "Alexander of the King! Alexander the son of Philip![5] Your master has taught you about him at school?" "Of course," said Aleko frowning. The old man smiled. "There is a story about him which you have not heard perhaps. Do you know how Alexander the King got the Water of Life?" Aleko shook his head: "We have not reached such a part." "Well, I will tell you about it. Listen:-- "When Alexander the King had conquered all the Kingdoms of the world, and when all the universe trembled at his glance, he called before him the most celebrated magicians of those days and said to them:-- "'Ye who are wise, and who know all that is written in the Book of Fate, tell me what I must do to live for many years and to enjoy this world which I have made mine?' "'O King!' said the magicians, 'great is thy power! But what is written in the book of Fate is written, and no one in Heaven or on Earth can efface it. There is one thing only, that can make thee enjoy thy kingdom and thy glory beyond the lives of men; that can make thee endure as long as the hills, but it is very hard to accomplish.'