Tom thought so certainly . `` But why do they want so to know about the backstairs ? '' asked he , being a little frightened at the long words , and not understanding them the least ; as , indeed , he was not meant to do , or you either . `` That I shall not tell you . I never put things into little folks ' heads which are but too likely to come there of themselves . So come -- now I must bandage your eyes . '' So she tied the bandage on his eyes with one hand , and with the other she took it off . `` Now , '' she said , `` you are safe up the stairs . '' Tom opened his eyes very wide , and his mouth too ; for he had not , as he thought , moved a single step . But , when he looked round him , there could be no doubt that he was safe up the backstairs , whatsoever they may be , which no man is going to tell you , for the plain reason that no man knows . The first thing which Tom saw was the black cedars , high and sharp against the rosy dawn ; and St. Brandan 's Isle reflected double in the still broad silver sea . The wind sang softly in the cedars , and the water sang among the eaves : the sea-birds sang as they streamed out into the ocean , and the land-birds as they built among the boughs ; and the air was so full of song that it stirred St. Brandan and his hermits , as they slumbered in the shade ; and they moved their good old lips , and sang their morning hymn amid their dreams . But among all the songs one came across the water more sweet and clear than all ; for it was the song of a young girl 's voice . And what was the song which she sang ? Ah , my little man , I am too old to sing that song , and you too young to understand it . But have patience , and keep your eye single , and your hands clean , and you will learn some day to sing it yourself , without needing any man to teach you . And as Tom neared the island , there sat upon a rock the most graceful creature that ever was seen , looking down , with her chin upon her hand , and paddling with her feet in the water . And when they came to her she looked up , and behold it was Ellie . `` Oh , Miss Ellie , '' said he , `` how you are grown ! '' `` Oh , Tom , '' said she , `` how you are grown too ! ''
And no wonder ; they were both quite grown up -- he XXXXX a tall man , and she into a beautiful woman .
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