The night received her prayer in silence. Whether or not any heard but
Reddin none could say.
Reddin tiptoed into the house, rather downcast. This was a strange creature that he had caught.
Vessons was still at the waters of Babylon when Hazel came down.
'Why canna he get beyond them five words?' asked Hazel. 'He allus stops and goes back like a dog on a chain.' She sang it through in her high clear voice. There was silence in the kitchen.
Reddin stared at Hazel.
'Who taught you to sing?' he asked.
'Father. He's wonderful with the music, is father.' Hazel found that in the presence of strangers her feeling for her father was almost warm. 'Playing the harp nights, he makes your flesh creep; ah! and he makes the place all on a charm, like the spinneys in May month. And he says, "Sing!" says he, and I ups and sings, and whiles I don't never know what I bin singing.'
'That I can well believe,' said Vessons.
Reddin swung round.
'What the devil are you doing here?' he asked.