Anita went over to the piano, and sat for a moment half unwilling to attempt a work which had been a favorite of hers in those long ago, happy days of her life when she was Nancy Loomis. But she thrust the memory aside and thought only of the man whose pleasure it would be to listen. She commenced hesitatingly, but gained confidence as she went on. Her effort brought applause from her little audience and one of them hobbled over to ask for more.
"That was a rattling good piece," he said, "but maybe you wouldn't mind giving us something a little more lively."
Anita smiled and nodded, then dashed off a gay Spanish dance which appeared to give great satisfaction, the man with crutches declaring that he could scarcely keep from dancing, a joke at which his comrades roared. For an hour the girl sat there, then Mr. Kirkby came to the door and called out, "All aboard for Primrose Cottage."
"Come on, Anita," Lillian cried.
Anita tarried long enough to go back to the man with the bandaged eyes. "I am coming again to-morrow," she said, "and I will try to get here earlier so I can read as well as play for you."
The man held out his hand, "I can't thank you enough," he said. "The music was wonderful. It made me both glad and sorry. I am so grateful to you."
They shook hands, bade one another a cheerful good-bye and Anita hurried out to where the motor car was waiting.
"I have been talking to your poor blind man," said Anita as Mr. Kirkby tucked the rugs around her. "He seems very weak yet, at least his voice sounded so."
"He was pretty well battered up, poor chap, but I am hoping we shall not be calling him blind for long. You'll go over again, I trust. The lads seemed to enjoy the music. It is a great thing to be able to contribute toward their pleasure as well as their comfort. I hope to bring your mother home to-morrow for a little rest; she is working too hard and needs it. She is too valuable to drop out. We'll get Miss Egbert and Miss Woodside to-morrow morning and they can manage without your mother for a day or two."
"I shall go over every day whether mother is there or not," Anita announced. "I am so glad to be of some use, and I promised the man with the bandaged eyes that I would read to him the next time I came. Do you know his name, Lillian?"