His eyes were very bright, and were fixedly bent on the road ahead, as if even the haste he was making was not haste enough.

Twice David spoke to him, but he did not answer; and the boy could only trudge along on his weary little feet and sigh for the dear home on the mountain-top which they had left behind them the morning before.
They met few fellow travelers, and those they did meet paid scant attention to the man and the boy carrying the violins.

As it chanced, there was no one in sight when the man, walking in the grass at the side of the road, stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.
David sprang quickly forward.
"Father, what is it?
WHAT IS IT ?" There was no answer.
"Daddy, why don't you speak to me?
See, it's David!" With a painful effort the man roused himself and sat up.

For a moment he gazed dully into the boy's face; then a half-forgotten something seemed to stir him into feverish action.

With shaking fingers he handed David his watch and a small ivory miniature.