folded. But the others pressed close around her, talking excitedly to
one another, as though she could not understand what they said. And she
would never forget one who took her hand in both of his. The touch of
his fingers was cold and as dry as parchment. "Honey child, God bless
your pretty face."

Was this the formal talk of which Connor had warned her? A growl from
David drove them back from her like leaves before a wind. He had slipped
from his horse, and now walked forward.

"It is Abraham?" he asked.

"He is dead and glorious," answered the chorus, and the girl trembled to
hear those time-dried relics of humanity speak so cheerily of death.

The master was silent for a moment, then: "Did he leave no message for
me?"

In place of answering the group shifted and opened a passage to the one
in the rear, who stood with folded arms.

"Elijah, you were with him?"

"I heard his last words."

"And what dying message for David?"

"Death sealed his lips while he had still much to say. To the end he was
a man of many words. But first he returned thanks to our Father who
breathed life into the clay."

"That was a proper thought, and I see that the words were words of
Abraham."

"He gave thanks for a life of quiet ease and wise masters, and he
forgave the Lord the length of years he was kept in this world."

"In that," said David gravely, "I seem to hear his voice speaking.
Continue."

"He commanded us to sing pleasantly when he was gone."

"I heard the singing on the lake road. It is well."

"Also, he bade us keep the first master in our minds, for John, he said,
was the beginning."

At this the face of David clouded a little.

"Continue. What word for David?"

Something that Connor had said about the pride and sulkiness of a child
came back to Ruth.

Elijah, after hesitation, went on: "He declared that Glani is too heavy
in the forehead."

"Yes, that is Abraham," said the master, smiling tenderly. "He would
argue even on the death bed."

"But a cross with Tabari would remedy that defect."

"Perhaps. What more?"

"He blessed you and bade you remember and rejoice that he was gone to
his wife and child."

"Ah?" cried David softly. His glance, wandering absently, rested on the
girl for a moment, and then came back to Elijah. "His mind went back to
that? What further for my ear?"

"I remember nothing more, David."

"Speak!" commanded the master.

The eyes of Elijah roved as though for help.