ssibilities of emotion. The pure and fine essential
qualities of the voices, the dizzying harmonies, the fugal calls and
responses, the strange relief of the unisons, and above all the free,
natural mien of the singers, proudly aware that they were producing
something beautiful that could not be produced more beautifully,
conscious of unchallenged supremacy,--all this enfevered him to an
unprecedented and self-astonished enthusiasm.

He murmured under his breath, as "Loud Ocean's Roar" died away and the
little voices of the street supervened: "By Gad! By Gad!"

The applause was generous. Edwin stamped and clapped with childlike
violence and fury. Mr Peake slowly and regularly thumped one fist on
the bench, puffing the while. Glasses and mugs could be seen, but not
heard, dancing. Mr Arthur Smallrice, Mr Abraham Harracles, Mr Jos
Rawnpike, and Mr James Yarlett, entirely inattentive to the
acclamations, stepped heavily from the platform and sat down. When
Edwin caught Big James's eye he clapped again, reanimating the general
approval, and Big James gazed at him with bland satisfaction. Mr Enoch
Peake was now, save for the rise and fall of his great chest, as
immobile and brooding as an Indian god.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOUR.

Edwin did not depart. He reflected that, even if his father should come
home earlier than the last train and prove curious, it would be
impossible for him to know the exact moment at which his son had been
able to have speech with Mr Enoch Peake on the important matter of
business. For aught his father could ever guess he might have been
prevented from obtaining the attention of the chairman of the
proceedings until, say, eleven o'clock. Also, he meant to present his
conduct to his father in the light of an enterprising and fearless
action showing a marked aptitude for affairs. Mr Enoch Peake, whom his
father was anxious to flatter, had desired his father's company at the
Dragon, and, to save the situation, Edwin had courageously gone instead:
that was it.

Besides, he would have stayed in any case. His mind was elevated above
the fear of consequences.

There was some concertina-playing, with a realistic imitation of church
bells borne on the wind from a distance; and then the Bursley Prize
Handbell Ringers (or Campanologists) produced a whole family of real
bells from under a form, and the ostler and the two women arranged a