fire. I never build a fire, even when I am awake; it seems to me
that fire brings a storm. It is better to be quiet and silent."

"And listen to the wind? No, that is terrible."

"I love the fire. I should like to sleep near the fire, but my
husband does not allow it."

"Why doesn't old Dan come here? It is time to strike the hour."

"Old Dan will play in the church to-night; he cannot bear such
silence as this. When the sea is roaring, old Dan hides himself and
is silent--he is afraid of the sea. But, as soon as the waves calm
down, Dan crawls out quietly and sits down to play his organ."

The women laugh softly.

"He reproaches the sea."

"He is complaining to God against it. He knows how to complain
well. One feels like crying when he tells God about those who have
perished at sea. Mariet, have you seen Dan to-day? Why are you
silent, Mariet?"

Mariet is the adopted daughter of the abbot, in whose house old Dan,
the organist, lives. Absorbed in thought, she does not hear the
question.

"Mariet, do you hear? Anna is asking you whether you have seen Dan
to-day."