ask or hope for anything, I did want him to see that I respected myself,
remembered my duty, and could do right as well as he. I kept away. I
planned to go as soon as possible and resolved that at this concert I
would do so well, he should not be ashamed of poor Phebe and her one
gift."

"It was this that made you so strange, then, preferring to go alone and
refusing every little favor at our hands?" asked Rose, feeling very sure
now about the state of Phebe's heart.

"Yes, I wanted to do everything myself and not owe one jot of my
success, if I had any, to even the dearest friend I've got. It was bad
and foolish of me, and I was punished by the first dreadful failure.
I was so frightened, Rose! My breath was all gone, my eyes so dizzy I
could hardly see, and that great crowd of faces seemed so near, I dared
not look. If it had not been for the clock I never should have gotten
through, and when I did, not knowing in the least how I'd sung, one look
at your distressed face told me I'd failed."

"But I smiled, Phebe indeed I did as sweetly as I could, for I was sure
it was only fright," protested Rose eagerly.

"So you did, but the smile was full of pity, not of pride, as I wanted
it to be, and I rushed into a dark place behind the organ, feeling ready
to kill myself. How angry and miserable I was! I set my teeth, clenched
my hands, and vowed that I would do well next time or never sing another
note. I was quite desperate when my turn came, and felt as if I could do
almost anything, for I remembered that he was there. I'm not sure how it
was, but it seemed as if I was all voice, for I let myself go, trying
to forget everything except that two people must not be disappointed,
though I died when the song was done."

"Oh, Phebe, it was splendid! I nearly cried, I was so proud and glad to
see you do yourself justice at last."

"And he?" whispered Phebe, with her face half hidden on the arm of the
chair.

"Said not a word, but I saw his lips tremble and his eyes shine and I
knew he was the happiest creature there, because I was sure he did think
you fit to be his wife and did mean to speak very soon."

Phebe made no answer for a moment, seeming to forget the small success
in the greater one which followed and to comfort her sore heart with the
knowledge that Rose was right.

"He sent the flowers, he came for me, and, on the way home, showed me
how wrong I had been to doubt him for an hour. Don't ask me to tell that