The singing hour

The evening song has no separate name, and households sing it together from their steps while its sound circles the harbour wall. On the steps below Caleb's house, the older singers take the low, middle, and high parts while the younger children hum and make lyric mistakes without anyone correcting them.

After the family's song finishes, later singers remain on the quay, where anyone who recognises a tune can contribute and others can listen. The night brings another working period when the water starts withdrawing from the steps, and the late gathering disperses as Caleb finally gets up.