“Not many,” said Don Quixote; “not that they are unworthy of it, but because they do not care to accept books and incur the obligation of making the return that seems due to the author’s labour and courtesy. One prince I know who makes up for all the rest, and more⁠—how much more, if I ventured to say, perhaps I should stir up envy in many a noble breast; 651 but let this stand over for some more convenient time, and let us go and look for some place to shelter ourselves in tonight.”

“Not far from this,” said the cousin, “there is a hermitage, where there lives a hermit, who they say was a soldier, and who has the reputation of being a good Christian and a very intelligent and charitable man. Close to the hermitage he has a small house which he built at his own cost, but though small it is large enough for the reception of guests.”

“Has this hermit any hens, do you think?” asked Sancho.