Josiah went to the window and tapped upon the pane. He did that often when his mind was troubled. To tap upon the pane eased his heartache. It was an old New England way.
Josiah took his violin, tuned it, and began to play while the family listened by the fading coals.
"I thought I heard something," said Abiah between one of the tunes.
"What was it, Abiah?" asked her husband.
"It sounded like a step."
"That's nothing strange."
"It sounded familiar," she said. "Steps are peculiar."
"Oh, I know of whom you are thinking," said Josiah. "May the Lord comfort you, for the winds and waves do not to-night."
He played again. His wife grew restless.
"Josiah," said she when he ceased playing, "you may say that I have fancies, but I thought I saw a face pass the window."