To hear Rollo sing a hymn, or any other song, was to have the meaning given with not less but more than speaking expression, and Wych Hazel's winter studies had enabled her to follow the words. The listeners were all very still, and no applause followed. But when the last line was ended, Rollo rose and announced that it was time to go. And soon as he and Arthur had left the cottage, Hazel sprang up.
'Mrs. Boërresen, which window best commands the Hollow?'
'You can't see into the Hollow from any of 'em, my lady.'
'Where then?'
'You know there's a bend in the Hollow, Hazel,' Prim remarked.
'We cannot see into it from anywhere here.'
Wych Hazel stood looking down into the burnt out fire, her hands knotted tight together. If she were but alone!Could she in any possible way elude her companions and not be found out? especially the first. Certainly she was a wayward creature, they might think. Five minutes ago listening to that hymn with the most quiet, subdued child's face; and now fairly sparkling with energy and purpose. How could she manage? Prim was putting on her bonnet and shawl.
'It is not very cold,' she remarked. 'I am going as far as the top of the road.'
Hazel glanced at the gray chair,no, she could not disturb that. She begged a shawl of Gyda, and was off, out of the door without more ado. But not to find Primrose. It rather suited the young lady's mood to be by herself; and so, noiselessly, Hazel flitted along through the starlight, without however being able to reach a point which looked straight down into the Hollow beyond the bend. The uneven ground, the unknown distances, baffled her. Standing still, she heard nothing. The starry sky overhead was not more calmly quiet than this portion of the darksome earth appeared to be. A little frosty, the air did not stir enough to rustle the leaves on the trees. Crickets and some other fall insects had it all their own way. Wych Hazel went over to the ground on the other side of the road and tried that. Frosty, and still, and starlight, it was on the other side of the road; in the bright gloom even her point of view did not seem to be changed. Her next move was back to the cottage. There she stood still upon the steps.
Presently the door opened behind her. 'My little lady' said Gyda.
'I am here, all safe.'