He smiled, and let the basso talk.

And I'll swear he winked at me.
"I really can't decide such a matter, Mr.Roberts," he said, at last.
"You're engaged to sing; so is Mr.Lauder.

Mr.Lauder is ready to fulfill his engagement--if you are not I don't see how I can force you to do so.

But you will do yourself no good if you leave us in the lurch--I'm afraid people who are arranging concerts will feel that you are a little unreliable." The other singers argued with him, too, but it was no use.

He would no demean himself by singing with Harry Lauder.