At this I started, for he had been repeating our own words. I looked at him again, and my heart beat strangely.
"Let me add joy to the day, and not sorrow," he continued. "Let me bring my harp, and I will play the old Cornish melodies, and I will tell the old Cornish stories."
"But not until you have had food and rest," said my dear Nancy.
He would not wait for this, however, so the people flocked around him, and he played and sung wondrously for such an old man. After this he told the people stories which moved the wedding guests much, first to tears and then to laughter.
"You shall stay at the house to-night, old man," I said; "what is your name?"
"I have many names," he replied, "but many call me David, because I am cunning with the harp and can charm away evil spirits, even as King David of old charmed away the evil spirits from the heart of Saul. There is only one sad thought in the heart of your dear lady to-night, and that my harp shall charm away."
After the guests were all gone that night I called the old minstrel to the room where my forefathers had sat, and where my Nancy and I had come. The lights were not yet lit, for it was near midsummer, and the night shone almost like day. The windows were open too, and I cared not to shut out the sweet air of that summer evening.
He came, bearing his harp with him, and when we were alone I spoke freely.
"Uncle Anthony," I said, "take off the patches from your eyes and stand upright."
"Ah, you have penetrated my disguise?" he said.