Rico reflected over these words, but Stineli would give him no time for dreaming: she wanted to go on with the song.
They made so much noise themselves, that they did not hear the prayer-bell at all; and did not notice what time it was until reminded by the growing darkness, and perceived the grandmother looking about anxiously for them before they reached the houses.
But Stineli was too much excited to be subdued by any thing. She ran on towards her grandmother, and said, "You have no idea how beautifully Rico can fiddle; and we have made a song of our own, for ourselves only. We will sing it to you this very moment."
And before there was time to answer, they began and sang it all through; and the good grandmother listened with real pleasure to their sweet, clear voices.
She seated herself on the log; and, when the children had finished, said, "Come now, Rico, I want you to play for me; and you and I will sing together. Do you know the song that begins,—
"'I sing to thee with heart and voice?'"
Rico had probably heard the hymn, but he did not know it correctly, and said that he wished first to hear it from the grandmother, and he would follow her softly on his violin, and then he would be sure of it.
So they began; and first the grandmother repeated the words of a verse to the children, and then they all sang it together,—
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"I sing to thee with heart and voice, Lord, whom my soul obeys. I sing, and bid all earth rejoice: Thou teachest me thy praise. "I know that thou the fountain art Of joy,—the eternal spring Which, into every willing heart, Healing and good dost bring. "Why do we worry over sin? Why sorrow night and day? Come, bring thy load, cast it on Him Who fashioned thee from clay. "He never yet has done amiss; And, perfect in His sight, All that He does or orders is Sure to be finished right. "Now only let His will be done, Nor clamor constantly, Peace to thy heart on earth will come, And joy eternally." |
"It is well," said the grandmother. "Now we know a proper evening hymn, and you may go quickly to rest, my children."