Pat Higgins was a chieftain commanding a large force of tolerably
peaceful Indians on the shore, and Massasoit himself never exhibited
more dignity; while Marm Lisa was the proud mother of the baby
Oceanus born on the eventful voyage of the Mayflower.
Then Mistress Mary told the story of the festival very simply and
sweetly, and all the tiny Pilgrims sang a hymn of thanksgiving. The
Solitary listened, with his heart in his eyes and a sob in his
throat; then, Heaven knows under the inspiration of what memory, he
brushed Edith from the piano-stool, and, seating himself in her
place, played as if he were impelled by some irresistible force. The
hand of a master had never swept those keys before, and he held his
hearers spellbound.
There was a silence that could be felt. The major part of the
audience were not of an age to appreciate high art, but the
youngsters were awed by the strange spectacle of Mr. Man at the
piano, and with gaping mouth and strained ear listened to the divine
harmonies he evoked. On and on he played, weaving the story of his
past into the music, so it seemed to Mistress Mary. The theme came
brokenly and uncertainly at first, as his thoughts strove for
expression. Then out of the bitterness and gall, the suffering and
the struggle--and was it remorse?--was born a sweet, resolute,
triumphant strain that carried the listeners from height to height of
sympathy and emotion.
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