God has made so many things that she thinks must not be mentioned in his hearing!" When they entered the room, Joseph, casting a quick look round it, made at once for the darkest corner.

Three swift strides took him there; and, without more preamble than if he had come upon a public platform to play, he closed his eyes and began.
And now at last Mary understood at least this specimen of his strange music, and was able to fill up the blanks in the impression it formerly made upon her.

Alas, that my helpless ignorance should continue to make it impossible for me to describe it! A movement even and rather slow, full of unexpected chords, wonderful to Mary, who did not know that such things could be made on the violin, brought before her mind's eye the man who knew all about everything, and loved a child more than a sage, walking in the hot day upon the border be-tween Galilee and Samaria.

Sounds arose which she interpreted as the stir of village life, the crying and calling of domestic animals, and of busy housewives at their duties, carried on half out of doors, in the homeliness of country custom.

Presently the instrument began to tell the gathering of a crowd, with bee-like hum, and the crossing of voice with voice--but, at a distance, the sounds confused and obscure.