about her being there."

"Not at all," said Albert, evidently nettled into argument by the
theme he had introduced. "She is one of those persons who can be in
several places at the same time. You heard them sing, I suppose. They
are preparing for the congregation festival. It is six years since
we started here, but we only built our church last year: this year
we have the first celebration in the edifice, and of course there is
great preparation."

"I have been wondering how I could go away before it takes place ever
since I heard of it."

"If you wonder less how you can stay, remain of course," said Spener
with no great cordiality: he owed this stranger nothing, after all.

"It will only be to prove that I am really music-mad, as they have
been telling me ever since I was born. If that is the case, from the
evidences I have had since I came here I think I shall recover."

"What do you mean?" asked Spener.

"I mean that I see how little I really know about the science. I
never heard anything to equal the musical knowledge and execution of
Loretz's daughter and this Sister Benigna you speak of."

"Ah! I am not a musician. I tried the trombone, but lacked the
patience. I am satisfied to admire. And so you liked the singers?
Which best?"