How could he have kept so still! His bow was wandering slowly about over the strings of his violin; but presently, having overcome, as it seemed, with the help of his instrument, his inclination to laugh, he ceased, and all was still.
"I came," said Mary, turning again to Ann, "hoping you might be able to tell me where the sweet sounds came from which we have heard now two or three times; but I had no idea there was any one in the room besides yourself .-- They come at intervals a great deal too long," she added, turning toward the figure in the darkness.
"I am afraid my ear is out sometimes," said the man, mistaking her remark.

"I think it comes of the anvil." The voice was manly, though gentle, and gave an impression of utter directness and simplicity.

It was Mary's turn, however, not to understand, and she made no answer.
"I am very sorry," the musician went on, "if I annoyed you, miss." Mary was hastening to assure him that the fact was quite the other way, when Ann prevented her.
"I told you so!" she said; "_you_ make an idol of your foolish plaything, but other people take it only for the nuisance it is." "Indeed, you never were more mistaken," said Mary.

"Both Mrs.Helmer and myself are charmed with the little that reaches us.

It is, indeed, seldom one hears tones of such purity." The player responded with a sigh of pleasure.
"Now there you are, miss," cried Ann, "a-flattering of his folly till not a word I say will be of the smallest use!" "If your words are not wise," said Mary, with suppressed indignation, "the less he heeds them the better." "It ain't wise, to my judgment, miss, to make a man think himself something when he is nothing.