Each of the men seemed invested in his own silence.
Aaron suddenly took his flute, and began trying little passages from the opera on his knee.

He had not played since his illness.

The noise came out a little tremulous, but low and sweet.

Lilly came forward with a plate and a cloth in his hand.
"Aaron's rod is putting forth again," he said, smiling.
"What ?" said Aaron, looking up.
"I said Aaron's rod is putting forth again." "What rod ?" "Your flute, for the moment." "It's got to put forth my bread and butter." "Is that all the buds it's going to have ?" "What else!" "Nay--that's for you to show.

What flowers do you imagine came out of the rod of Moses's brother ?" "Scarlet runners, I should think if he'd got to live on them." "Scarlet enough, I'll bet." Aaron turned unnoticing back to his music.