The good Lord's got 'is own ways o' doing things, and it ain't for the likes of us to pick holes when they turn out better than the worst." Meanwhile Austin lay quietly and drowsily on his couch piecing things together.

Seen from the distance of a few hours, now that he had leisure to reflect, how wonderfully they fitted in! First of all, there had been that sudden outburst of raps just as he was stepping into bed.

That, evidently, was intended as a warning.

It was as much as to say, "Don't! don't!" But of course he couldn't be expected to know this, and so he could only wonder where the raps came from, and get into bed as usual.

Then, the instant he did so the raps ceased.
That was because it wasn't any use to go on.