Sisters Three | Page 9

violin and piano uncommonly well for a girl of
her age."
"Oh, does she? That's my gift. I play the violin beautifully," cried
Norah modestly, and when Rex laughed aloud she grew angry, and
protested in snappish manner, "Well, you said yourself that we could
not help knowing our own talents. It's quite true, I do play well.
Everyone says so. If you don't believe it, I'll get my violin and let you
hear."
"I wish you would! Please forgive me for laughing, I didn't mean to be
rude, but it sounded so curious that I forgot what I was doing. Do play!
I should love to hear you."

Norah walked across the room and lifted the beloved violin from its
case. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was tingling with the
remembrance of that incredulous laugh, but her anger only made her
the more resolved to prove the truth of her words. She stood before Rex
in the firelight, her slim figure drawn up to its full height, and the first
sweep of the bow brought forth a sound so sweet and full, that he
started in amazement. The two sisters in the adjoining room stopped
their work to listen, and whispered to one another that they had never
heard Norah play so well; and when at last she dropped her arms, and
stood waiting for Rex to give his verdict, he could only gasp in
astonishment.
"I say, it's wonderful! You can play, and no mistake! What is the piece?
I never heard it before. It's beautiful. I like it awfully."
"Oh, nothing. It isn't a piece. I made it up as I went along. It is too dark
to see the music, and I love wandering along just as I like. I'll play you
some pieces later on when the lamps are lit."
"I say, you know, you are most awfully clever! If you play like that
now, you could do as well as any of those professional fellows if you
had a chance. And to be able to compose as well! You are a genius--it
isn't talent--it's real, true, genuine genius!"
"Oh, do you think so? Do you really, truly think so?" cried Norah
pitifully. "Oh, I wish you would say so to father! He won't let us go
away to school, and I do so long and pine to have more lessons. I learnt
in London ever since I was a tiny little girl, and from a very good
master, but the last three years I have had to struggle on by myself.
Father is not musical himself, and so he doesn't notice my playing, but
if you would tell him what you think--"
"I'll tell him with pleasure; but if he won't allow you to leave home, I
don't see what is to be done--unless--look here! I've got an idea. My
sister may want to take lessons, and if there were two pupils it might be
worth while getting a man down from Preston or Lancaster. Ella
couldn't come here, because she can only go out on fine days, but you
could come to us, you know. It would make it so much more difficult if

the fellow had to drive six miles over the mountains, and we are nearer
a station than you are here. I should think it could be managed easily
enough. I'll write to the mater about it if you like."
"Will you, really? How lovely of you! Oh, it would be quite too
delightful if it could be managed. I'd bless you for ever. Oh, isn't it a
good thing you sprained your ankle?" cried Norah in a glow of
enthusiasm, and the burst of laughter which followed startled the
occupants of the next room by its ring of good fellowship.
"Really," said Hilary, "the strange boy must be nicer than we thought.
Norah and he seem to be getting quite good friends. Let us hurry up,
and go and join them."
CHAPTER FOUR.
ROUND THE FIRE.
Mrs Freer wrote a grateful letter to Mr Bertrand, thanking him for his
hospitality to her son, and arranging to drive over for Rex on the
following Saturday afternoon, so that Hilary's anxiety was at an end,
and she could enjoy the strange boy's society with an easy mind. After
Norah had broken the ice, there was no further feeling of shyness.
When Rex hobbled downstairs at ten o'clock in the morning, he
ensconced himself on the old-fashioned sofa in the sewing-room, and
remained there until he adjourned into the drawing-room for the
evening. The boys came in and out as they pleased, Miss Briggs
coddled him and brought him cups of beef-tea, but it was upon the girls
that he chiefly depended for amusement. In the morning they were busy
with their household