Christie, the King's Servant by Mrs O. F. Walton
page 41 of 118 (34%)
page 41 of 118 (34%)
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names, one by one, as each began.
'This is "My Poor Mary Anne," Mr. Jack, _very_ sad.' Then when that was finished, 'This is the Old Hundred, _very_ old.' After this there was a long turning of the handle without any sound being heard, for the first part of the next tune was gone entirely. 'I can't say the name of this one, Mr. Jack,' he explained; 'Marjorie calls its something like "Ma says."' 'Oh! the "Marseillaise,"' I said, laughing; 'all right, little man, I know that.' 'Then comes father's tune, father _does_ like it so. Listen, "Home, sweet home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home." Do _you_ like it, Mr. Jack?' 'Yes, I do like it, Jack,' I said; 'I knew it when I was a little chap like you.' As he played, once more it brought before me my mother's voice and my mother's words. I had not thought of my mother for years so much as I had done at Runswick Bay. Even the old organ brought her back to me, for she was always kind to organ-grinders. There was an Italian who used to come round with a barrel-organ when I was a little boy. I can see him now. I used to watch for him from my nursery window, and as soon as he came in sight I flew down to my mother for a penny, and then went into the garden and stood beside him whilst he played. My mother gave me a musical-box on my birthday; it was in the shape of a barrel-organ, and had a strap which I could hang round my neck. I used to take this box |
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