After the first note Miss Lily sat motionless, bending forward a
little, her hands clasped in her lap, her eyes on the singer.
Whether she saw him was doubtful, for her tears fell fast as
Doodles sang the comforting words.
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;…and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,…neither shall there be any more pain:…for the former things are passed away."
With silence the listener suddenly dropped her face in her hands and began to sob.
In a moment Doodles was singing again, and soon she grew calmer.
When he stopped she was ready to talk.
"I don't see what makes me cry so!" she broke out, with a great effort fighting back the tears. "I'm all upset anyway. It is so lovely having you sing—right here! You don't know! I'm afraid I shan't ever want you to stop." She laughed quiveringly.
"More now?" he asked.
"If you aren't tired," she hesitated.
"Never!"
He sang again.
In the doorways upstairs and down people were listening. The little house on North Charles Street had never heard such music within its walls. As the song ceased, applause came,—uncertainly at first, then louder and steady.