though, as patrol-leader."

"I guess Phil will do all right," Rod replied. "We could go to hear
her sing, that's if I can go. I will find out about it and let you
know."

CHAPTER XVII

ANNA ROYANNA

Rod had no opportunity that evening of speaking to Parson Dan or Mrs.
Royal about the wonderful singer. There were visitors at the rectory
for tea, and he was in bed before they left. He thought very much
about it, nevertheless, and in his sleep he dreamed that he was
listening to Miss Royanna. He could see her quite plainly, just as
Whyn had described her, and he was so disappointed when he awoke and
found himself in his own little room, and not in the Opera House with
the singer before him.

"I was reading in the paper last night," Parson Dan remarked, just
after they had sat down to breakfast, "that a famous singer is coming
to the city. Her name is Anna Royanna, and she will be at the Opera
House Wednesday night. Wouldn't you like to go, dear?" and he looked
across the table at his wife.

"I'm afraid not," was the reply. "The Ladies' Aid will meet here on
that day, and so I could not possibly leave. Why don't you go, Daniel?
You are fond of good singing, and it is so seldom that you get away
from the parish."

"It is utterly out of the question, Martha," the clergyman sadly
returned. "I have to bury old Mrs. Fisk at Stony Creek to-morrow
afternoon."

"Oh, I had forgotten about that, Daniel. Isn't it always the way when
anything of special importance comes to the city? You have never been
able to attend."

"It seems so. But never mind, dear, we are going to take a long
holiday next summer, and that will make up for much we have lost."

"May I go, grandad?" Rod suddenly asked.

"Go where, Rodney? With us next summer?"

"No, but to hear Miss Royanna."

"You!" and the parson straightened himself up. "Why, I didn't know
that you would care to go."

"But I do, grandad. Phil Dexter is going with his father to the city
to-morrow, and why couldn't I go along with them? Phil and I could go
to hear Miss Royanna ourselves if Mr. Dexter doesn't want to go. Oh,
may I?"

"Well, we shall think it over," the parson replied, "and let you know
later."

That afternoon Mrs. Royal told Rod that he could go to the city. It
might do him good, so she said, to hear such a famous singer. She knew
that she could trust him to behave himself, no matter where he was.

Rod was delighted, and hurried o