One evening, when it so chanced that our hero had one or two friends in his parlour, Bandy-legged Bill happened to drop in.
“Ah, you are engaged. I’ll call again some other time,” said the gipsy.
“No time like the present—come in you old cripple,” returned Peace, “and make your miserable life happy.”
Bill did not want a second invitation. He was introduced to the company present, and sat himself down.
“We are just having a little practice,” observed Peace. “This young girl is a pupil of mine.”
The gipsy glanced at the person alluded to, and beheld a sweet-looking child, who, to all appearances, was about ten or eleven years of age. She held in her hands a flutina.
“A pupil, eh, and a very clever little thing, I’ll dare be sworn,” said the gipsy.
“Pretty well,” returned Peace; “but you shall hear and judge for yourself. Now Esther, dear,” this was addressed to the girl, “let the gentleman hear what you can do, or rather what we can both do.”
Music was placed before Esther, then Peace led off with his violin, while the child accompanied him on the flutina.
The duet was most creditably performed. The girl was a little nervous at first, but gradually gaining courage as she proceeded, did credit to her master.