"I didn't know what he meant, and Elise didn't either, for she
looked perfectly blank, and asked him why he said that. And Kit told
her she knew well enough why he said it, and Elise thought he must
be crazy. However, they got along all right until Kit asked me to
get Elise to sing. Now, you know Elise doesn't sing much; she has a
nice little contralto voice, but she never sings for people. But do
you know, she was perfectly willing, and she sang a little lullaby
or something like that, rather sweetly, _I_ thought. But such a
change came over Kit's manner! I don't know how to express it. He
was polite and courteous, of course; but he seemed to have lost all
interest in Elise."

"But your cousin IS a sort of a freak, isn't he?" said Patty, who
was deeply interested in Marie's story.

"Why, no, he isn't a freak. He's a musician, but he's an awfully
nice chap, and real sensible. He hates society as a bunch, but he
often likes an individual here and there, and when he does he can be
awfully nice and friendly. But this whole performance was so QUEER.
He wanted to meet Elise, and when he did, he admired her, I could
see that; but when she sang, the light all went out of his face, and
he looked terribly disappointed. The girl isn't a great singer, but
why in the world should he expect her to be, or care so much because
she isn't?"

"It IS strange!" murmured Patty; "how did Elise take it?"

"Oh, I don't think she minded much; she thinks the boy half crazy,
anyway; asking her if she was a captive princess! And, of course, he