Only Wampus, sitting in the background, looked scornfully upon the man who had once been the idol of his townspeople.
Dan'l took a violin from a shelf and began to play, softly but with masterly execution.

He caught their mood instantly.

The harmony was restful and contented.

Patsy turned down the lamps, to let the flicker of the firelight dominate the room, and Dan'l understood and blended the flickering light into his melody.
For a long time he continued to improvise, in a way that fairly captivated his hearers, despite their varied temperaments, and made them wonder at his skill.

Then without warning he changed to a stirring, martial air that filled the room with its rich, resonant tones.