Page:Aladdin O'Brien (1902).pdf/244

 Men grew silent and gathered to hear, for Aladdin's fame as a maker of songs had spread over the whole army, and he was called the Minstrel Major. He felt his audience and sang louder. The very sick man turned a little so that he, too, could hear. Only the occasional striking of a match or the surreptitious drawing of a cork interrupted. The stately tune moved on:

Somehow all the homing hearts were set to beating.

The very sick man turned fully, and there was a glad light of recognition in his eyes.