This part of the lane was marked by some insignificant though very abrupt
depressions and elevations of the surface. Occasionally he of the
floating apparel was lost to sight; then he would appear all glorious on
some small height, while the mind was compelled to revert irreverently to
the picture of Moses on Mount Pisgah. He was the personification of
impudence, withal, looking back and showing his teeth in superlative
appreciation of his own sinfulness. He descended, and I looked to see him
arise again, but I saw him no more.

I had a faint and fleeting vision, afterwards, of an apostolic figure
flying back across the fields. It was so indistinct as to remain only
among the ephemera of my fancy.

In a fork of the roads, opposite the school-house, stood a house with a
red door. It was loaded, in summer, with honeysuckle vines. Aunt Lobelia
sat always at the window. Sometimes she had the asthma and sometimes she
sang. This morning her favorite refrain from the Moody and Sankey Hymnal
was wafted in loud accents up the lane:--

"Dar' to be a Danyell!
Dar' to be a Danyell!
Dar' to make it known!"

As I entered the school-house, the inspiring strains still followed me.

There was a large Franklin stove within, which exhibited the most
enormous draught power, emitting sparks and roaring in a manner frightful
to contemplate.

Aunt Patty, who acted the part of janitress of the school-house at night
and morning, had written on the blackboard in a large admonitory hand,
"No spitting on this floor, you ninnies!"

The bench, containing the water-pail, occupied the most central position
in the room. At one side of the bench hung a long-handled tin dipper; on
the other, another tin instrument, resembling an ear-trumpet, profoundly
exaggerated in size.

"That's what you've got to blow to call us in," exclaimed a small child,
with anticipative enlivenment.

I went to the door with the instrument.

"Dar' to be a Danyell!
Dar' to make it known."

The stirring measures came across from Aunt Lobelia's window. Then the
singer paused.

There were other faces at other windows. The countenances of the boys and
girls gathered about the door were ominously expressive. I lifted the
horn to my lips. I blew upon it what was intended for a cheerful and
exuberant call to duty, but to my chagrin it emitted no sound whatever. I
attempted a gentle, soul-stirring strain; it was as silent as the grave.
I seized it