``Calderwell! Do you mean--Hugh Calderwell?''
Billy's cheeks showed a deeper color.

The man gave an embarrassed little laugh. He
had not meant to let that name slip out just yet.

``Yes.'' He hesitated, then plunged on
recklessly. ``We tramped half over Europe together
last summer.''

``Did you?'' Billy left her seat at the piano
for one nearer the fire. ``But this isn't telling
me about your own plans,'' she hurried on a little
precipitately. ``You've studied before, of course.
Your voice shows that.''

``Oh, yes; I've studied singing several years,
and I've had a year or two of church work,
besides a little concert practice of a mild sort.''

``Have you begun here, yet?''

``Y-yes, I've had my voice tried.''

Billy sat erect with eager interest.

``They liked it, of course?''

Arkwright laughed.