He turned to a table where were musical glasses, and began to play.
How sweet and delicate, like an angel's strain, the music was! Then
he began to sing with his family:

"Now the woods are all sleeping,
O guard us, we pray!"


The merchant thought that he had never listened to anything so
beautiful.

After the old German song, Herman said:

"Let us pray--will you kneel with us, traveler? You may have need of
our prayers, for you have come in to us at your peril."

Much astonished at these words, the merchant knelt down beside his
portmanteau. The collier began to pray, when there was a light sound
at the storm-door, and a draft of wind stirred the ashes.

The merchant turned his face towards the door.

A strange sight met his gaze, such as he had never seen before.
A little dwarf stood there with eyes like coal and with a red mantle.
He moved the door to and fro. His eyes gleamed. He looked like a
burning image. At last, swaying the door, he gave the merchant an evil
glance that seemed to burn out his very soul, and was gone.

The prayer ended, and the family rose from their knees.