There was a pause of silence once again, which was broken by a knock at the door. Old Sylvester, having spoken his mind, had fallen into a reverie, and the Peabodys glancing one to the other, the question arose, shall the strangers (Mopsey reported them to be two) whoever they may be, be admitted?
"This is strictly a family festival," it was suggested, "where no strangers can be rightly allowed."
"May be thieves!" the merchant added.
"Vagabonds, perhaps!" Mrs. Carrack suggested.
"Strangers, anyhow!" said Mrs. Jane Peabody.
The widow Margaret and Miriam were silent and gave utterance to no opinion.
In the midst of the discussion old Sylvester suddenly awakening, and rearing his white locks aloft, in the voice of a trumpet of silver sound, cried out:—"If they be human, let 'em in!"
As he delivered this emphatic order there was a deep moan at the door, as of one in great pain, or suffering keenly from anguish of spirit, and when it was opened to admit the new-comers, the voice of Chanticleer, raised for the second time, broke in, clear and shrilly, from the outer darkness.