They looked at each other in blank surprise, while backward thoughts galloped through their minds, and then Magnus, forgetting to give the customary reply, walked back to the door, and threw it open.
There was a dull thud of heavy feet on the outside steps, and at the next moment a man stood on the threshold. He seemed to be an old man, for his eyebrows, beard, and mustache, and as much as could be seen of his hair under the peaked hood of his ulster, were white with snow. One moment he stood there as if breathless after his journey, looking from Magnus to the mother, and from the mother to Magnus. Then he said, in the same tremulous voice as before:
"Can I have a bed here to-night, and shelter for my horse?"
It seemed to Anna that he spoke to her, but instead of answering immediately, she looked across at Magnus with helpless eyes that were full of inexpressible fears. Magnus looked back at his mother and hesitated for an instant, while he held the door open with his hand. Then:
"Come in, sir," he said, and the stranger stepped into the house.
PART VII
"The ball no question makes of ayes and noes,
But right or left, as strikes the player goes;
And He who tossed you down into the field,
He knows about it all--He knows--HE knows."
I
"The little mare is hot--she'll want a rub down and a rest before you give her a feed."
"I'll see to that, sir," said Magnus, and he went out and pulled the door after him.