“The rain it falls upon the just,
And also on the unjust fellers;
But chiefly on the just, because
The unjust have the justs’ umbrellers.”
This verse was received with equal applause, and Fitz was entreated to give them another.
“Sing another song,” urged Rose. “You must know a pile of them.”
“Well, I’ll give you a very short one,” the slim chap returned with much apparent reluctance. “It’s a little old, but you mustn’t mind a thing like that.”
Striking a single chord, he began the first line.
“Mary had a little——”
He paused, and, clearing his throat, glanced around at his audience, plainly surprised that there had been no interruption. Having been caught once, however, the fellows were not going to repeat the performance, and remained expectantly silent.