Yet, recalcitrant as they held him, their secret hearts were with him, for there was none of them but had had happy commerce with him; and they could think of no more bitter punishment than to be cut off from their own society for three months.
They were satisfied he was being trained back to happiness and honour.
A new turn was given to events, however.

The little wizened Elder Meacham said: "The flute, friend--is it here ?" "I have it here," David answered.
"Let us have music, then." "To what end ?" interjected the shrill Elder.
"He hath averred he can play," drily replied the other.

"Let us judge whether vanity breeds untruth in him." The furtive brightening of the eyes in the women was represented in the men by an assumed look of abstraction in most; in others by a bland assumption of judicial calm.

A few, however, frowned, and would have opposed the suggestion, but that curiosity mastered them.

These watched with darkening interest the flute, in three pieces, drawn from an inner pocket and put together swiftly.
David raised the instrument to his lips, blew one low note, and then a little run of notes, all smooth and soft.