"Now, if we put this chesterfield against the wall and move everything out
of the room except the chairs, don't you think?"

"Quite."

"Hans, move these tables into the smoking-room, and bring a sweeper to take
these marks off the carpet and--one moment, Hans--" Jose loved giving
orders to the servants, and they loved obeying her. She always made them
feel they were taking part in some drama. "Tell mother and Miss Laura to
come here at once.

"Very good, Miss Jose."

She turned to Meg. "I want to hear what the piano sounds like, just in
case I'm asked to sing this afternoon. Let's try over 'This life is
Weary.'"

Pom! Ta-ta-ta Tee-ta! The piano burst out so passionately that Jose's
face changed. She clasped her hands. She looked mournfully and
enigmatically at her mother and Laura as they came in.

"This Life is Wee-ary,
A Tear--a Sigh.
A Love that Chan-ges,
This Life is Wee-ary,
A Tear--a Sigh.
A Love that Chan-ges,
And then ...Good-bye!"