“I wish you would!” Katharine, for the moment, really longed to hear the wonderful voice.
“Do you?” asked Crowdie.
There was a hesitation in his tone which suggested the idea that he had perhaps been waiting for Katharine to ask him, in order to yield to the request. Instantly the young girl was aware that the eyes of Ralston and Bright were upon her. Griggs had turned his head and was watching Crowdie curiously. Mrs. Bright looked at him, too, hesitated, and then spoke.
“I really think that promise you made Hester was too absurd, Walter!” she said.
“What promise?” asked Katharine, quickly.
“Not to sing for any one but her,” said Mrs. Bright, before Crowdie could interrupt her. “Hester told me.”
Everybody looked at Crowdie and smiled at the sentimentality. His soft eyes glanced disagreeably at his mother-in-law for a moment, and the smile on his red lips did not conceal his annoyance.
“Besides,” continued Mrs. Bright, “if Katharine asks you, I think you might—really, it’s too silly of Hester.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Katharine, “I don’t want you to break any promise, Mr. Crowdie—especially one you’ve made to Hester. She’d never forgive me. Please don’t sing—some time when she’s here—perhaps—”
But at once she again felt Ralston’s glance and Bright’s. She wondered why they looked at her so often.