'Almost every day there is a spiritual presence, but it does not always speak. They come and hold long conversations in the winter, when there is nothing else to do; that I think is very kind of them, for in the summer Samuel can fish and his time is more occupied. There were fisherman in the Bible, you know; it is a holy calling.' 'Does Samuel ever go over to the mainland?' 'No, he never leaves the Flats. I do all the business; take over the fish, and buy the supplies. I bought all our cattle,' said Roxana, with pride. 'I poled them away over here on a raft, one by one, when they were little things.' 'Where do you pasture them?' 'Here on the island; there are only a few acres, to be sure; but I can cut boat-loads of the best feed within a stone's throw. If we only had a little more solid ground! But this island is almost the only solid piece in the Flats.' 'Your butter is certainly delicious.' 'Yes, I do my best. It is sold to the steamers and vessels as fast as I make it.' 'You keep yourself busy, I see.' 'O, I like to work; I could'nt get on without it.' 'And Samuel?' 'He is not like me,' replied Roxana. 'He has great gifts, Samuel has. I often think how strange it is that I should be the wife of such a holy man! He is very kind to me, too; he tells me about the visions, and all the other things.' 'What things?' said Raymond. 'The spirits, and the sacred influence of the sun; the fiery triangle, and the thousand years of joy. The great day is coming, you know; Samuel is waiting for it.' 'Nine of the night. Take thou thy rest. I will lay me down in peace, and sleep, for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety,' chanted a voice in the hall; the tone was deep and not without melody, and the words singularly impressive in that still, remote place. 'Go,' said Roxana, instantly pushing aside her half-washed dishes. 'Samuel will take you to your room.' 'Do you leave your work unfinished?' I said, with some curiosity, noticing that she had folded her hands without even hanging up her towels. 'We do nothing after the evening chant,' she said. 'Pray go; he is waiting.' 'Can we have candles?' 'Waiting Samuel allows no false lights in his house; as imitations of the glorious sun, they are abominable to him. Go, I beg.'