He was dressed in an-odd kind of a cloak , and had on a cap that seemed to be made partly of feathers , so that it looked almost as if it had wings . '' `` What sort of a staff had he ? '' asked Pandora . `` O , the most curious staff you ever saw ! '' cried Epimetheus . `` It was like two serpents twisting around a stick , and was carved so naturally that I , at first , bought the serpents were alive . '' `` I know him , '' said Pandora , thoughtfully . `` Nobody else has such a staff . It was Quicksilver ; and he brought one hither , as well as the box . No doubt he intended it for me ; and , most probably , it contains pretty dresses for me to wear , or toys for you and me to play with , or something very nice for us both to eat ! '' `` Perhaps so , '' answered Epimetheus , turning away . `` But until Quicksilver comes back and tells us so , we have neither of us any right to lift the lid of the box . '' `` What a dull boy he is ! '' muttered Pandora , as Epimetheus left the cottage . `` I do wish he had a little more enterprise ! '' For the first time since her arrival , Epimetheus had gone out without asking Pandora to accompany him . He went to gather figs and grapes by himself , or to seek whatever amusement he could find , in other society than his little playfellow 's . He was tired to death of hearing about the box , and heartily wished that Quicksilver , or whatever was the messenger 's name , had left it at some other child 's door , where Pandora would never have set eyes on it . So perseveringly as she did babble about this one thing ! The box , the box , and nothing but the box !
It seemed as if the box were bewitched , and as if the cottage were not big enough to hold it , without Pandora 's continually stumbling over it , and making XXXXX stumble over it likewise , and bruising all four of their shins .
Epimetheus Pandora amusement arrival figs first left playfellow right toys