In waiting on the table, washing
dishes, and hoeing the garden, he was as great a laggard as
Pegasus would have been if compelled to the labors of a cart-
horse; but when night came, and uncongenial toil was over, his
soul expanded. His corrugated brow unwrinkled itself; his great
black fingers flew back and forth over the strings as if driven by
electricity; and electric in effect were the sounds produced by
his swiftly-glancing bow.
While the spirit of music so filled his heart that he could play
to the moon and silent stars, an audience inspired him with
tenfold power, especially if the floor was cleared or a smooth
sward selected for a dance. Rarely did he play long before all who
could trip a measure were on their feet, while even the
superannuated nodded and kept time, sighing that they were old.
His services naturally came into great demand, and he was catholic
in granting them--his mistress in good-natured tolerance acceding
to requests which promised many forgetful hours at a time when the
land was shadowed by war.
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