Phil listened with curiosity and attention.

For the first time in his life he felt ashamed of his own ignorance, and wished he, too, might have a chance to learn, as the children around him were doing.

But they had homes and parents to supply their wants, while he must work for his livelihood.
After a time, recess came.

Then the boys gathered around, and asked Phil to play them a tune.
"Will he let me ?" asked the young fiddler, again referring to the teacher.
The latter, being applied to, readily consented, and expressed his own wish to hear Phil.

So the young minstrel played and sang several tunes to the group of children who gathered around him.