“‘A whisper broke the air,”—

said Phœbe, pausing. “Now I remember:—

‘A whisper broke the air,—

A soft light tone, and low,

Yet barb’d with shame and woe;

Now, might it only perish there,

Nor further go!

Ah me! a quick and eager ear

Caught up the little meaning sound!

Another voice has breathed it clear,