"Thieves? Nay," said one of the shepherds brusquely. "We saw naught amiss, and had but the walk for our pains."
The shepherds wrapped their heavy woolen mantles about them and talked together in low voices. No one seemed disposed to sleep, though the day's work had been hard and all needed a night's rest. Ezra sat silent, thinking of old Eli's words and scarce hearing the conversation that went on about him.
Suddenly the old shepherd grasped Ezra's arm. One of the younger men was speaking.
"The night has grown so still," said he. "Note ye that the wind dies down and that a hush falls o'er all?"
His voice ended on a trembling note. He covered his face with his mantle and fell forward among his prostrate companions. Only old Eli, with his arm about shaking little Ezra, held his white head erect--joyous, confident, trustful.
For an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
"Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, On earth peace, good will toward men."
Ezra, strengthened by Eli's arm which did not waver, ventured to open his eyes.
He saw a brilliant whiteness, clear as crystal, that seemed to light the world from end to end. High above, the sky was filled with clouds of rose and amber and amethyst. All the glories of sunrise and of sunset were mingled there.
Did he catch a flutter of white pinions? Did he glimpse a Leader, majestic, terrible, yet radiant with gracious love?
Even as he stared, unable to move, the song grew fainter, the colors faded and vanished.
The echo of the angels' song rang in his ears. To his dying day it would haunt his memory.
The muffled figures on the ground stirred and stood erect.
Overhead burned the stars in the frosty sky.
"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."