She smiled at him reproachfully. "We'll have to hurry, I'm afraid. It's
only a step. But we ought to go at once."

Uncle William followed in her wake, admiring the quick, lithe movements
of the tall figure. Now that the flower-like face was turned away, she
seemed larger, more vigorous. "A reg'lar clipper, and built for all
kinds of weather," said Uncle William as he followed fast. "I wouldn't
be afraid to trust her anywheres. She'd reef down quick in a blow." He
chuckled to himself.

She looked around. "Here we are."




XIV

They had paused at the foot of a flight of stairs. Down the narrow
hall-way floated a mingled sound of voices, high and low, with drifting
strains of violin-bows laid across strings and quickly withdrawn.

The old man looked at her inquiringly. "They hain't begun?"

She shook her head. "They're tuning up."

His face lifted a little. "I reckoned that couldn't be the beginnin'.
But ye can't al'ays tell. They make queer noises sometimes."

"Yes.--I must leave you now." She had ushered him into a small hall.