“Play, for I must hear your pipe,” Pater Silvanus replied with a friendly smile.
They lost no time and began. Vinzi, entirely sure of his two singers and much encouraged by the monk’s great kindness, played, not the melody, but a little accompaniment which he had practiced for himself.
At the end of the song Pater Silvanus glanced at Vinzi affectionately. Then laying his hand on the boy’s shoulder and looking him in the eyes he said, “I’d like to know something, boy, and you must be sure to tell me the truth. Have you ever heard this melody before or one that was a little like it to some other words?”
“No, it belongs to this song. I only found it when I got your words from the grandfather,” Vinzi replied guilelessly, looking up at the questioner with wide, honest eyes.
“I’d like to hear the song once more,” said the monk. “Don’t leave out either the verses or the accompaniment.”
The three began again, happily, for to be asked to repeat it was a sign that it had pleased the monk.
“Now,” said Pater Silvanus, when they had come to the end, “You must hear how my harmonium sounds to it. I wonder if you’ll like it?”
Going up to the big high box, he opened it and began to play.
Vinzi listened breathlessly. What wonderful deeply gripping tones! His whole heart was shaken.
And was it possible? It sounded so strangely familiar; yes, it was his own melody with the accompaniment the pipe had played. But how different, how full and rich!