"I was dull," she said, "intolerably dull.And Dal always says 'only a dullard is dull.' But I diagnosed my dulness in the train just now and found it was largely his fault.Do you hear, Dal?"Garth lifted his head and looked at her, realising in that moment that it was, after all, possible for a complete and overwhelming experience to be one-sided.Jane's calm grey eyes were full of gay friendliness.
"It was your fault, my dear boy," said Jane.
"How so?" queried Garth; and though there was a deep flush on his sunburned face, his voice was quietly interrogative.
"Because, during those last days at Overdene, you led me on into a time of musical dissipation such as I had never known before, and Imissed it to a degree which was positively alarming.I began to fear for the balance of my well-ordered mind.""Well," said Myra, coming out from behind her red parasol, "you and Dal can have orgies of music here if you want them.You will find a piano in the drawing-room and another in the hall, and a Bechstein grand in the billiard-room.That is where I hold the practices for the men and maids.I could not make up my mind which makers I really preferred, Erard, Broadwood, Collard, or Bechstein; so by degrees Icollected one of each.And after all I think I play best upon the little cottage piano we had in the school-room at home.It stands in my boudoir now.I seem more accustomed to its notes, or it lends itself better to my way of playing.""Thank you, Myra," said Jane."I fancy Dal and I will like the Bechstein.""And if you want something really exciting in the way of music,"continued Lady Ingleby, "you might attend some of the rehearsals for this 'service of song' they are getting up in aid of the organ deficit fund.I believe they are attempting great things.""I would sooner pay off the whole deficit, than go within a mile of a 'service of song,'" said Jane emphatically.
"Oh, no," put in Garth quickly, noting Myra's look of disappointment."It is so good for people to work off their own debts and earn the things they need in their churches.And 'services of song' are delightful if well done, as I am sure this will be if Lady Ingleby's people are in it.Lawson outlined it to me this morning, and hummed all the principal airs.It is highly dramatic.
Robinson Crusoe--no, of course not! What's the beggar's name? 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'? Yes, I knew it was something black.Lawson is Uncle Tom, and the vicar's small daughter is to be little Eva.Miss Champion, you will walk down with me to the very next rehearsal.""Shall I?" said Jane, unconscious of how tender was the smile she gave him; conscious only that in her own heart was the remembrance of the evening at Overdene when she felt so inclined to say to him:
"Tell me just what you want me to do, and I will do it.""Pauline will just love to go with you," said Mrs.Parker Bangs.
"She dotes on rural music."
