"I fear so, judging from the reports I receive of him. This last term he has done better, however. A steady, studious lad like Lawrence Puttenham is the very friend for Eric."
"Your boy is all right, Margaret," Sir Jasper said, smiling; "he's good at heart."
The mother's face brightened at this praise of her son. At that moment the sound of music fell upon their ears, and Sir Jasper sat quietly listening.
"How well Joy plays!" he exclaimed at length. "She improves rapidly. She practices a long time every day, does she not?"
"Yes, she shows real talent for music, so every one says; and Miss Mary Pring is delighted with the progress She is making."
"She ought to have a first-rate music-master, by-and-by," Sir Jasper asserted; "but I suppose Miss Mary Pring is competent to teach her for the present?"
"Oh, yes," Mrs. Wallis agreed. "I should so like to be able to give Joy a really good musical education; I believe if she had that she would make her mark as a pianist, for I am sure she would work hard and conscientiously."
"She is very desirous of earning money by her music, she tells me."
"Yes, poor child. You must not think her mercenary, Uncle Jasper. Remember, she has known what poverty is. I don't mean want, but the poverty which denies everything but the merest necessaries. My little girls went to school at A—, but I could not afford to have them taught accomplishments, so that I had to teach them music myself. Is it any wonder that Joy should wish to turn her one talent to some account?"
"Certainly not. What about Celia? She is not musical, I know; but I suppose she shows a talent for something?"