"And I am provoked at myself beyond measure, that I could have laughed like a silly child."
"But did you not like the first tune I sang? 'Old Hundred' was selected in deference to the wishes of the meeting."
"No, I did not like it. It was not suitable to the place and words. Though I never heard it before, its somewhat slow movement did not prevent it from smacking of something very foreign to a prayer-meeting."
"A most happy and inspired expression. Many a time I have smacked my lips when it was being sung over the best of wine."
"Was it a drinking-song, then?" she asked, quickly.
"What will you do with me if I say it was?"
"Mr. Gregory, I would not have thought this even of you."
"Even of me! That is complimentary. I now learn what a low estimate you have of me. But see how unjust you are. The musical commissaries of the church militant are ever saying, 'It's a pity the devil should have all the good music,' and so half the Sunday-school tunes, and many sung in churches, have had a lower origin than my drinking-song. I assure you that the words are as fine as the air. Why have I not as good a right to steal a tune from the devil as the rest of them?"
"It's the motive that makes all the difference," said Annie. "But I fear that in this case the devil suffered no loss."
"I'm sure my motive was not bad. I only wished to see a bonny smile light up your face."