There was sacred music in the parlor during the evening, but neither Miss Wildmere nor Madge would sing in solo. Graydon good-naturedly tried to arrange a duet between the two girls. The former declined instantly, yet took off the edge of her refusal by saying, "I would gladly sing for you if I could, but do not care to permit all these strangers to institute comparisons."
Therefore, the guests sang in chorus as usual, a professional playing the accompaniments. There were few, however, who did not recognize the strong, sweet alto which ran through each melody like a minor key. Graydon's acute ear for music heard little else, and he said to Madge "I shall be glad when this hotel life is over. What delicious evenings I shall have this fall! By the way, I'm going to have your piano tuned when I go to town."
"Perhaps."
"Perhaps what? Perhaps I shall remember about the tuner? You'll see."
"I may go back with the Waylands. I'm not at all sure that I shall not spend my winter on the Pacific."
"Why, Madge! With your health you could spend it in Greenland."
"That's what I may do. We always have a lovely green land in that climate."
"I must investigate Santa Barbara. You have left some one or something there which has powerful attractions."
"Yes, memories; as well as skies so bright that you can't help smiling back at them."
"I supposed you were going to enter society this fall and create a furore."