David's heart was beating like an unsteady hammer.

He could not quite account for the strange effect this incident had upon him.

He wanted more than ever to see that room beyond the locked door.
February--the Hunger Moon--of this year was a month of great storm in the Northland.

This meant sickness, and a great deal of travel for Father Roland.

He and David were almost ceaselessly on the move, and its hardships gave the finishing touches to David's education.