She found it sadly out of tune from long disuse.
As this was not true of her voice, she began singing a favorite German song.
In a moment the house was full of melody.

Clear, sweet, and powerful, her notes penetrated to the kitchen, where the maids were busy, and they stopped in spellbound wonder, with dish or utensil in hand.

Mrs.
Muir listened with her hair-brush suspended, while methodical Mr.Muir laid down his razor, and, going to the door, set it ajar.

The song poured into the room like an harmonic flood.

Before the first stanza was completed Mrs.Muir had on her dressing-gown and was stealing downstairs into the back parlor, and as Madge was beginning again she rushed upon her.
"Why, why," she exclaimed, "I thought Nilsson or Patti had got lost and taken refuge here! Can it be you?
You are nothing but a surprise from beginning to end.