with fear. In short, thoughts of the beauty with 
which I was surrounded filling me as it did with 
enthusiasm, I felt myself at perfect peace with 
myself and with the Universe. I even believe 
that, in my perfect happiness and my total for-
getfulness of all terrestrial evil, I had arrived at 
no longer thinking so ridiculous those newspa-
pers which pretend that man is naturally good; 
when, immedicable matter renewing its impor-
tunities, I thought I would repair the ravages 
of fatigue and quench the appetite caused by 
so lengthy an ascent. I pulled out of my pocket 
a big chunk of bread, a leathern cup and a 
flask containing a certain elixir which chemists 
at that time were in the habit of selling to tour-
ists, to be mingled, as opportunity arose with 
snow-water. 
I was calmly cutting up my bread when a 
very slight noise made me raise my eyes. In 
front of me was a little ragged, tousled crea-
ture whose hollow, fierce, and as it were sup-
plicating eyes, devoured the piece of bread, 
and I heard him sigh in a low, hoarse voice the 
word “Cake.” I could not prevent myself laugh-
ing at the big name by which he dignified my 
plain bread, and I cut off a large slice for him 
and offered it to him. Slowly he came near, 
never letting his eyes leave the object which 
he coveted; then, snatching the piece with his