The Choir Invisible

He was so close that he could hear the loud regular breathing of a sleeper

on the bed just inside the shadow. Once the breathing stopped abruptly; and

a moment later, as though in reply to a command, he heard her say without

turning her head: "I am coming!"

The voice was sweet and dutiful; but to an ear that could have divined

everything, so dead worn away with weariness.

Then he saw an arm put forth. Then he heard the shutter being fastened on

the inside.