We girls supposed he had deserted her, which was the fact, as she told me afterward.

She cried whenever she sang a sentimental song, but never gave up to her tears, singing on with blinded eyes and quavering voice.

I laughed at her dresses which had been handsome, with much frayed trimming about them, the hooks and eyes loosened and the seams strained, but liked her, and although I did not take lessons, saw her every day when she came up to the Academy.

She asked me once if I had any voice.

I answered her by singing one of our Surrey hymns, "_Once on the raging seas he rode_." She grew pale, and said, "Don't for heaven's sake sing that! I can see my old mother, as she looked when she sang that hymn of a stormy night, when father was out to sea.