"For Heaven's sake," he said testily, "tell those squalling children to go!" Piers did not stir.

"In a moment, sir!" he said.
And so, clear through the night air, the last verse came unhindered to an end.
"Our glad hosannas, Prince of peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim; And Heaven's eternal arches ring With Thy beloved Name.
And Heaven's eternal arches ring With Thy beloved Name." Piers threw up his head with a sudden, spasmodic movement as of a drowning man.

And then without pause he snatched up the blind and flung the window wide.
"Hi, you kiddies! Where are you?
Don't run away! Gracie, is that you ?" There was a brief silence, then chirpily came the answer.

"Pat did the solo; but he's gone.

He would have gone sooner--when we saw your shadow on the blind--only I held him so that he couldn't." Piers broke into a laugh.