"What is the matter with Tillie?" Caleb asked, climbing the fence to sit beside his brother and watch Abraham Cook's mule trot recklessly around the small pen. Tillie stopped, kicked her back hooves high, let out a bellow and then re­turned to trotting in a circle. Each time the mule came too near the fence, both brothers quickly lifted their legs. "She is old and I find it alarming she is so lively."

"Something has distressed her," Uriah agreed, glancing at the horses in the corral. All the other horses were calm. "Do you suppose some­thing bit her?"

"Perhaps, but I haven't the courage to check." Caleb quickly swung his legs to the outside just before Tilley thrust herself against the fence. "Steady yourself, Tilley."

"Brother, do you hear music?" Uriah asked.

In her upstairs bedchamber facing the back of the house, Elizabeth parted the curtains and pushed the win­dow open a crack to air out the room. She considered the width of the open­ing and the cool air rushing in for a moment, then gently tapped it open just a little bit more. "Music?" she muttered, pushing the win­dow wide open.

"Mary!" she shouted. "Mary, come quickly."

Her sister rushed into the room, "What is it?"