Jeanie and Maud Hamilton shared a bedroom at Waycott Hall, and out of this opened a pretty sitting-room where they practised their music and wrote their letters.
The next morning Jeanie was reading an invitation written especially to her by Toney. Maud had brought it up to her. It ran thus:—
"MY DEAR JEANIE,
"Aunt Dove is giving a concert here next week. Will you come as you are so musical? A violinist is coming and perhaps you will like to play too afterwards? Aunt Dove says she is very musical, so she likes the idea of collecting the neighbourhood to hear really good music. I shan't know if it's good or bad. Will you and your sister come and help me, and stop the night here, as I don't know what to say to musical people, and as you are soon going to Germany you might like to discuss your masters with them. Please come. Aunt Dove says she loves Dvorak, but Uncle Evas declares she has never heard anything by him. Anyhow, bring your violin and you can play when the visitors have gone.
"YOUR AFFECTIONATE TONEY."
"What a long letter about this concert," said Jeanie. "Why can't Toney send out proper cards of invitation like other people?"
"She thinks you are a great player and sends you a special note. It will be nice to go and spend the night there, won't it?"
Maud looked out of the window and not at her sister. She felt very nervous over Toney's new idea!
"No, I don't think so. It will be very tiresome. Mr. Russell is musical, but you know, Maud, the others have no music in them. It's dreadful playing to people who only hear a noise, isn't it? Besides, I expect they have got hold of some second-rate fiddler. I would much rather stay at home. You had better go."
"I do think we ought both to go. Toney is so anxious to give you pleasure before you go away."