"Joy's hymn, dear."
Gypsy began, without further explanation, to play a low, sweet prelude, and then they sang through the hymn that Joy had learned and loved in these few desolate weeks:
"There is an eye that never sleeps
Beneath the wing of night;
There is an ear that never shuts
When sink the beams of light.
"There is an arm that never tires
When human strength gives way—
There is a love that never fails
When earthly loves decay."
Joy tried to sing, but just there she broke down. Gypsy's voice faltered a little, and Mrs. Breynton sang very softly to the end.
After that they were all still; Joy had hidden her face. Tom began to hum over the tune uneasily, in his deep bass. A sudden sob broke into it.
"This is what makes it all so different."
"The singing, and the prayers, and the Sunday nights; it's been making me think about being a good girl, ever since I've been here. We never had any at home. Father—"