They had long ago given up such vain questioning . When a man had lived as old Abel had lived for the greater part of his life , was it any wonder he said crazy things ? And as for hinting that Mr. Leonard , a man who was really almost too good to live , was guilty of any sin , much less an unpardonable one -- well , there now ! what use was it to be taking any account of old Abel 's queer speeches ? Though , to be sure , there was no great harm in a fiddle , and maybe Mr. Leonard was a mite too strict that way with the child . But then , could you wonder at it ? There was his father , you see . Felix finally lowered the violin , and came back to old Abel 's kitchen with a long sigh . Old Abel smiled drearily at him -- the smile of a man who has been in the hands of the tormentors . `` It 's awful the way you play -- it 's awful , '' he said with a shudder . `` I never heard anything like it -- and you that never had any teaching since you were nine years old , and not much practice , except what you could get here now and then on my old , battered fiddle . And to think you make it up yourself as you go along ! I suppose your grandfather would never hear to your studying music -- would he now ? '' Felix shook his head . `` I know he would n't , Abel . He wants me to be a minister . Ministers are good things to be , but I 'm afraid I ca n't be a minister . '' `` Not a pulpit minister . There 's different kinds of ministers , and each must talk to men in his own tongue if he 's going to do 'em any real good , '' said old Abel meditatively . `` YOUR tongue is music .
Strange XXXXX your grandfather ca n't see that for himself , and him such a broad-minded man !
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