The Breaking Point

by Mary Roberts Rinehart





I


"Heaven and earth," sang the tenor, Mr. Henry Wallace, owner of the
Wallace garage. His larynx, which gave him somewhat the effect of
having swallowed a crab-apple and got it only part way down,
protruded above his low collar.

"Heaven and earth," sang the bass, Mr. Edwin Goodno, of the meat
market and the Boy Scouts. "Heaven and earth, are full--" His
chin, large and fleshy, buried itself deep; his eyes were glued on
the music sheet in his hand.

"Are full, are full, are full," sang the soprano, Clare Rossiter,
of the yellow colonial house on the Ridgely Road. She sang with
her eyes turned up, and as she reached G flat she lifted herself
on her toes. "Of the majesty, of Thy glory."

"Ready," barked the choir master. "Full now, and all together."

The choir room in the parish house resounded to the twenty voices
of the choir. The choir master at the piano kept time with his