"You really mean"—he was ignoring Val and looking down upon the happy Julia—"do you mean you've learned to play like this in New Plymouth?"
"Yes; of course I practise a good deal."
"As much as ever she likes, and nobody to say 'Not so boisterous,' and then go and lock the piano."
"Well, I must say I think it a very creditable result—with only provincial masters."
As he reached for his hat, he caught sight of Val's face.
"America, thou wear'st a threatening aspect. Mustn't I say provincial?"
At that moment a knock resounded loudly on the door. Julia carried off her disappointment discreetly enough, departing with the servant.
The young people went back to the parlor, but a gloom seemed to have fallen on the party. Mrs. Gano was closing the piano with her son's help.
"Emmie tells me," she was saying, "that Miss Julia complains my piano is out of tune. I wonder, that being the case, she is so fond of playing on it."