how they set on all the neighbours! And their laugh--it makes the
hair stand on end! But you will get away, and thank Tim too? Oh, I
shall laugh then, when they find the old house empty!"

"May our dear Lord bless thee--bless thee, child," sobbed Sibyll,
clasping the boy in her arms, and kissing him, while her tears bathed
his cheeks.

A light gleamed on the threshold; Madge, holding a candle, appeared
with Warner, his hat and cloak thrown on in haste. "What is this?"
said the poor scholar. "Can it be true? Is mankind so cruel? What
have I done, woe is me! what have I done to deserve this?"

"Come, dear father, quick," said Sibyll, drying her tears, and wakened
by the presence of the old man into energy and courage. "But put thy
hand on this boy's head, and bless him; for it is he who has, haply,
saved us."

The boy trembled a moment as the long-bearded face turned towards him,
but when he caught and recognized those meek, sweet eyes, his
superstition vanished, and it was but a holy and grateful awe that
thrilled his young blood, as the old man placed both withered hands
over his yellow hair, and murmured,--

"God shield thy youth! God make thy manhood worthy! God give thee
children in thine old age with hearts like thine!" Scarcely had the
prayer ceased when the clash of timbrels, with their jingling bells,
was heard in the street. Once, twice, again, and a fierce yell closed
in chorus,--caught up and echoed from corner to corner, from house to
house.