midnight
It 's awful good , and you 'd never think of it yourself . '' There was a touch on his arm , and a woman handed a book to him . `` This is the hymn we have now , '' she whispered , gently ; and Lin , blushing scarlet , took it passively without a word . He and Billy stood up and held the book together , dutifully reading the words : `` It came upon the midnight clear , That glorious song of old , From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold ; Peace on the earth -- '' This tune was more beautiful than all , and Lin lost himself in it , until he found Billy recalling him with a finger upon the words , the concluding ones : `` And the whole world sent back the song Which now the angels sing . '' The music rose and descended to its lovely and simple end ; and , for a second time in Denver , Lin brushed a hand across his eyes . He turned his face from his neighbor , frowning crossly ; and since the heart has reasons which Reason does not know , he seemed to himself a fool ; but when the service was over and he came out , he repeated again , `` ` Peace and good-will . ' When I run on to the Bishop of Wyoming I 'll tell him if he 'll preach on them words I 'll be there . ''