about two in the morning
He was a contented-looking fellow , with a jolly eye , and carried a knapsack . While dinner was preparing , he sat in the arbour to read a book ; but as soon as he had begun to observe Will , the book was laid aside ; he was plainly one of those who prefer living people to people made of ink and paper . Will , on his part , although he had not been much interested in the stranger at first sight , soon began to take a great deal of pleasure in his talk , which was full of good nature and good sense , and at last conceived a great respect for his character and wisdom . They sat far into the night ; and about two in the morning Will opened his heart to the young man , and told him how he longed to leave the valley and what bright hopes he had connected with the cities of the plain . The young man whistled , and then broke into a smile . ` My young friend , ' he remarked , ` you are a very curious little fellow to be sure , and wish a great many things which you will never get . Why , you would feel quite ashamed if you knew how the little fellows in these fairy cities of yours are all after the same sort of nonsense , and keep breaking their hearts to get up into the mountains .