Page:Under the greenwood tree (1872 Volume 1).pdf/79

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THE LISTENERS.
65

in that direction, one or two went across to the school-house. A light was still burning in the bedroom, and though the blind was down, the window had been slightly opened, as if to admit the distant notes of the carollers to the ears of the occupant of the room.

Opposite the window, leaning motionless against a wall, was the lost man, his arms folded, his head thrown back, his eyes fixed upon the illuminated lattice.

"Why, Dick, is that thee? What's doing here?'

Dick's body instantly flew into a more rational attitude, and his head was seen to turn east and west in the gloom, as if endeavouring to discern some proper answer to that question; and at last he said in rather feeble accents,

'Nothing, father.'

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