sit the other evening," said Miss
Clara, after the usual salutations.

John said something about the loss having been his own, and after a few
remarks of no special moment the young woman proceeded to set forth her
errand.

"Do you know the Bensons from Syrchester?" she asked.

John replied that he knew who they were but had not the pleasure of
their acquaintance.

"Well," said Miss Clara, "they are extremely nice people, and Mrs.
Benson is very musical; in fact, Mr. Benson does something in that line
himself. They have with them for a few days a violinist, Fairman I think
his name is, from Boston, and a pianist--what was it, Juliet?"

"Schlitz, I think," said Miss Verjoos.

"Oh, yes, that is it, and they are coming to the house to-night, and we
are going to have some music in an informal sort of way. We shall be
glad to have you come if you can."

"I shall be delighted," said John sincerely. "At what time?"

"Any time you like," she said; "but the Bensons will probably get there
about half-past eight or nine o'clock."

"Thank you very much, and I shall be delighted," he repeated.

Miss Clara looked at him for a moment with a hesitating air.

"There is another thing," she said.

"Yes?"

"Yes," she replied, "I may as well tell you that you will surely be
asked to sing. Quite a good many people who have heard you in the
quartette in church are anxious to hear you sing alone, Mrs. Benson
among them."

John's face fell a little.

"You do sing other than church music, do you not?" she asked.

"Yes," he admitted, "I know some other music."

"Do you think it would be a bore to you."

"No," said John, who indeed saw no way out of it; "I will bring some
music, with pleasure, if you wish."

"That's very nice of you," said Miss Clara, "and you will give us all a
great deal of pleasure."

He looked at her with a smile.

"That will depend," he said, and after a moment, "Who will play for me?"

"I had not thought of that," was the reply. "I think I rather took it
for granted that you could play for yourself. Can't you?"

"After a fashion, and simple things," he said, "but on an occasion I
would rather not attempt it."

The girl looked at her sister in some perplexity.

"I should think," suggested Miss Verjoos, speaking for the second time,
"that Mr. or Herr Schlitz would play your accompaniments, particularly
if Mrs. Benson were to ask him, and if he can play for the violin I
should fancy he can for t