The elder sister greeted them cordially. After playing a little she asked them if they would not like to sing.
They chose "Mary to the Saviour's Tomb" first. It was a great favorite in those days. The little girl liked it because she could play and sing it for her father. She was taking music lessons of Margaret's teacher now, and practised her scales and exercises with such assiduity that she had been allowed to play this piece. She did sometimes pick out tunes, but it was after the real work was done.
"Your boy has a fine voice," said John to Mr. Reed.
The father was not quite sure singing was manly. He had roused to the fact that Charles was rather "girly," and he wanted him like other boys.
"He is a good scholar," his father returned in half protest. "Stands highest in his class."
"Going to send him to college?"
"I don't just know," hesitatingly.
"Has he any fancy for a profession? He'd make an attractive minister."
"I don't know as I have much of a fancy for that."
Mr. Reed knew it was his wife's hope and ambition, but it had never appealed to him.