His hopes had been but faint from the beginning of the interview.
"Well--" said Roddy.

For a time he scuffed the floor with his shoe.
"Daw-gone it!" he said, at last; and he departed morosely.
Penrod had already begun to "practice" again, and Mr.Williams, after vain appeals to be permitted to practice in turn, sank into the wheelbarrow in a state of boredom, not remarkable under the circumstances.

Then Penrod contrived--it may have been accidental--to produce at one blast two tones which varied in pitch.
His pride and excitement were extreme though not contagious.

"Listen, Sam!" he shouted.

"How's THAT for high ?" The bored Sam made no response other than to rise languidly to his feet, stretch, and start for home.
Left alone, Penrod's practice became less ardent; he needed the stimulus of an auditor.