For, besides the pleasure they had in their own familiar tune, it was wonderful to them that Emilia should know what they knew.

This was the marvel, this the inspiration.

She smiled to see how true she had struck, and seemed to swim on the pleasure she excited.
Once, as her voice dropped, she looked up at Captain Gambier, so very archly, with the curving line of her bare throat, that Wilfrid was dragged down from his cynical observatory, and made to feel as a common man among them all.
At the "thrum-thrum" on the harp-strings, which wound up the song, frenzied shouts were raised for a repetition.

Emilia was perfectly willing to gratify them; Captain Gambier appeared to be remonstrating with her, but she put up her joined hands, mock-petitioningly, and he with great affability held out the book anew.

Wilfrid was thinking of moving to her to take her forcibly away when she recommenced.
At the same instant--but who, knowing that a house of glass is about to be shattered, can refrain from admiring its glitter in the beams ?--Ipley crooned a ready accompaniment: the sleepers had been awakened: the women and the men were alive, half-dancing, half-chorusing here a baby was tossed, and there an old fellow's elbow worked mutely, expressive of the rollicking gaiety within him: the whole length of the booth was in a pleasing simmer, ready to overboil with shouts humane and cheerful, while Emilia pitched her note and led; archly, and quite one with them all, and yet in a way that critical Wilfrid could not object to, so plainly did she sing to give happiness.
I cannot delay; but I request you, that are here privileged to soar aloft with the Muse, to fix your minds upon one point in this flight.
Let not the heat and dust of the ensuing fray divert your attention from the magnanimity of Beer.