Mrs. Fayth (starts with a listening, devout expression). Do you hear that?... Oh, watch, Doctor! Watch for what will happen!
(Spirits can be seen suddenly moving from all directions. They hurry, and exhibit signs of joyful excitement. The singing continues; repeats:—
“Thou that takest away the
Sins of the world!”)
(Now over the brilliant landscape falls a long, sharp, strange shadow. It is seen to be the shadow of a mighty cross, which, if raised upright, would seem to reach from earth to heaven. The children run back from the cottage.)
Laddie. Papa! who is worship? Is it a kind of game? Papa, what is Lord? Is it people’s mother? What is it for?
Dr. Thorne (with embarrassment). Alas, my boy, your father is not a learned man.
Laddie (imperiously). Teach me that pretty song! I cannot sing it. All the other children can—
Voices (chanting):—
“Thou givest,
Thou givest,
Eternal life!”
Dr. Thorne (sadly). My son, I cannot sing it, either.