Laodice refused to raise her head to listen to them and they turned to the old man.

But by signs, he showed them that his tongue was dead, and finally, with suppressed remarks upon the exceeding misfortune of the pair, they, too, disappeared.

A thoughtful one invited them to return to the village.

Laodice, careless now of what he should think of his exposure to pestilence, told him bluntly that they were unclean.

Hastily he exclaimed at the sum of their troubles, hastily blessed them, and hastily departed.
There was a pallor along the under-rim of the east; the wind freshened with the sweet vigor of early morning.
Over the stunned silence came the sound of the infinite trotting of tiny hooves and a high, wild, youthful yell.