The servants in the kitchen, hearing the strain, stole to the stair-foot to listen. Even old Helstone, as he walked in the garden, pondering over the unaccountable and feeble nature of women, stood still amongst his borders to catch the mournful melody more distinctly. Why it reminded him of his forgotten dead wife, he could not tell; nor why it made him more concerned than he had hitherto been for Caroline's fading girlhood. He was glad to recollect that he had promised to pay Wynne, the magistrate, a visit that evening. Low spirits and gloomy thoughts were very much his aversion. When they attacked him he usually found means to make them march in double-quick time. The hymn followed him faintly as he crossed the fields. He hastened his customary sharp pace, that he might get beyond its reach.
"Thy word commands our flesh to dust,-- 'Return, ye sons of men;' All nations rose from earth at first, And turn to earth again.
"A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone-- Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.

The servants in the kitchen, hearing it, stole to the stair-foot to listen. Even old Helstone, as he walked in the garden, pondering over the feeble nature of women, stood still to catch the mournful melody. Why it reminded him of his forgotten dead wife, he could not tell. He was glad to recollect that he had promised to pay Wynne, the magistrate, a visit that evening. He was averse to gloomy thoughts, and usually found means to make them march in double-quick time. The hymn followed him faintly as he crossed the fields. He hastened his pace, that he might get beyond its reach.
