and
thrust out here and there a glowing arm into the sunlight. The
boys--listening and looking,--some playing the part of young
Nebuchadnezzars, some picking and breaking up the asters and golden rod
within their reach,--giving little side nods of assent to each other,
or bending a more earnest gaze on Mr. Linden; pushing back their
caps--or pulling them down with a quick brush across the eyes;--the
hand with which Johnny Fax stroked back from Mr. Linden's forehead any
stray lock of hair which the wind displaced, or laid on his shoulder
when there was nothing else to do;--made altogether a picture the like
of which Mr. Simlins had not seen before--nor even Faith. The sun might
leave the clearing and betake itself to the tree-tops, and thence to
the clouds,--there was light there which came from a higher source.

Not Faith's silent attention was more silent and motionless than that
of her companion; he did not move or stir. But her deep, deep, rapt
gravity formed part of the subject of his contemplations, for one or
two keen sidelong glances fell upon it. Else, his eyes were busy
uninterruptedly with the scene and took in the whole effect of it; hers
hardly wavered from one point.

A little stir among the boys roused both the lookers-on from their
muse; but they stood still again at the first notes of a hymn--as Mr.
Linden's deep voice began, and the young choir with its varied treble
chimed in.

"I want to be an angel,
And with the angels stand,
A crown upon my forehead,
A harp within my hand;
There, right before my Saviour,
So glorious and so bright,
I'd wake the sweetest music,
And praise him day and night.

"I never should be weary,
Nor ever shed a tear,
Nor ever know a sorrow,
Nor ever feel a fear;
But blessed, pure, and holy,
I'd dwell in Jesus' sight,
And with ten thousand thousand
Praise him both day and night.

"I know I'm weak and sinful,
But Jesus will forgive,
For many little children,
Have gone to heaven to live.
Dear Saviour, when I languish,
And lay me down to die,
Oh send a shining angel
To bear me to the sky!

"Oh there I'll be an angel,
And with the angels stand!
A crown upon my forehead,
A harp within my hand.
And there before my Saviour,
So glorious and so bright,
I'll wake the sweetest music,
And praise him day and night!"

The two listeners stood still while the hymn was singin