"Now, Van, you have taught us what unconditional surrender means.
Miss Burton, ask him to play and sing some selections from the
Oratorio of the Messiah."
"Are you familiar with that?" she asked, with a sudden lighting up of her face.
"Somewhat so, only as an amateur can be; but I see, from your expression, that you are."
"I've contributed my share this evening," she said, decisively.
"Please give us some selections from the Oratorio."
"Lay your command, then, on Stanton also. There's a part that we have sung together as a duet occasionally, although it is not 'so nominated in the bond,' or score, rather."
"If Mr. Stanton does not stand by his friend, then he should be left to stand by himself."
"In the corner, I suppose you mean. But do not leave, Miss Burton. If you do not stand by Mr. Van Berg and sing with him the duet that begins with the words—
'O death! where is thy sting?'
you will deprive us all of the chief pleasure of the evening, and it's not in your nature to do that."
"Please, please do, Miss Burton," cried a score of voices.