"Ah, that was a great deal for you. Now what if I try a little? Bend down your head. I have a violin up stairs. Father bought it for me new year's day. It did not cost much, but there is music in it, and I have learned to play a little. Now I will just steal away and bring it down without letting them see me. Won't it astonish them to hear the music burst up all at once from our corner?"
The boy's eyes sparkled, and he seemed quite animated with his little plot.
"That will be pleasant," replied Mary, equally delighted with the idea. "Let me go! Where shall I find the violin?"
"In the corner cupboard—there is a little fire-light—you will not miss it," answered the lad, smiling gratefully.
Mary stole away and soon returned with the violin. She contrived to reach the boy without being seen, and the two sat close together, while he noiselessly tried the strings and fixed the bow.
There was a momentary hush in the conversation.
"Now!" whispered Mary, "now!"
The boy drew his bow, and such a burst of music poured from the strings, that even Mary started with astonishment.
"Ha, my son!" said the artist, "that was well thought of! now do your best!"
The boy answered only with a smile, but his slender fingers flew up and down on the strings, the bow flashed across them like lightning, and the apartment rung with music.