Sometimes, on receiving such a hint from the mother, it was his way to “omit the singing for a night.” But this was John Beaton’s first night among them, and the lads and their mother would, he thought, like the singing. And so he read the psalm and waited in silence for John to begin, and then Mrs Hume turned toward him.
A little withdrawn from the rest, John sat with his head upon his hand, and his eyes fixed on the face of Allison Bain. His own face was pale, with a strange look upon it, as though he had forgotten where he was, and had lost himself in a dream. Mrs Hume was startled.
“John,” said she softly, putting the book into his hand.
And then, instead of the strong, full tones which were naturally to be expected when John Beaton opened his lips, his voice rose, full, but soft and clear, and instinctively the tones of Robin and his mother were modulated to his. As for the others, they did not sing at all. For John was not singing the psalm which the minister had read, nor was he even looking at the book. But softly, as a mother might sing to her child, the words came:
“Jehovah hear thee in the day
When trouble He doth send,
And let the name of Jacob’s God
Thee from all ill defend.
“Oh! let Him help send from above
Out of His sanctuary,
From Sion His own holy hill,
Let Him give strength to thee.”
Allison’s eyes were open by this time. She seemed to be seeing something which no one else saw, and a look of peace was on her face, which Mrs Hume had never seen on it before. “She must have been dreaming.” Then the singing went on:
“Let Him remember all thy gifts,
Accept thy sacrifice,
Grant thee thy heart’s wish, and fulfil
Thy thoughts and counsels wise.”
And then John’s voice rose full and clear, and so did the voices of the others, each carrying a part, in a way which made even the minister wonder:
“In thy salvation we will joy,
In our God’s name we will
Lift up our banner, and the Lord
Thy prayers all fulfil.”
Then the books were closed, and the minister prayed, and without a word or a look to any one, except only sleepy Davie, Allison rose and went away. But in her heart she was repeating: