Clang!
Out into the stillness, the silence, as it had gone all these restless, waiting years.
Clang!
Yet again! How long, O Lord, how long?
* * * * *
God and his Prophet! what was that?
A clamour, and above it--familiar beyond mistake--one word, "Deen! Deen!" ("The Faith! The Faith!")
Deen? Yes, Deen Mahomed!--A hot breath of wind from the east rustled the dry pods and stirred the perfumed puff-blossoms--a scorching wind from the east whirled the clamour and the cry into the old man's ears--through his brain--through his heart.
"Deen! Deen! Deen!"
The disc of metal, unstruck, hung quivering; slower and slower, fainter and fainter, till, like the breath of one who dies in his sleep, the vibration ceased. But the note went alone into eternity, seeking judgment; for the harmonium was mute.