“Certainly, Dr. Phillips,” replied the master; “which of them do you want?”
“I want two boys to sing some solos at an ‘At Home’ which the dean is going to give shortly, and he said he would like to hear their songs now, as he will be going to London to-night for several days. I think I should prefer Parker and Davidson. King, I am afraid your voice is breaking, and you would not be able to sing the high notes with certainty.”
King turned red and looked very much disappointed. Dr. Phillips was a very clever musician, and trained the boys not only with great skill, but also with great patience. They all liked him, and Alfred’s ambition was to be an organist such as he was. Alfred could play the piano very well for a boy, and the reason why he had made such satisfactory progress was because he practised regularly. When his mother used to tell him to practise an hour twice a day, instead of grumbling and doing it very badly he did his best, and he was glad now that he had done so, as Mr. Harmer said he might play on the school harmonium if he liked, and he would help him. Mr. Harmer also was a very good organist; he had sometimes played the organ when Dr. Phillips was away, or conducting an orchestra.
Alfred was very pleased and very proud when he heard his name mentioned, but Cox looked as much disappointed as King.
“Parker and Davidson, you can go with Dr. Phillips,” said Mr. Harmer.
“I am afraid I shall not be able to send them back, Mr. Harmer, until after service,” said Dr. Phillips.
“Very good, there is only the writing lesson and dictation after they have done their sums, and they both spell very well,” replied the master.
Alfred and Walter went with Dr. Phillips, and were led into the dean’s drawing-room, where there were several ladies.
“These are the boys, Mr. Dean,” said Dr. Phillips.
Both boys stood shyly near the door, but the dean’s daughter came and shook hands with them, and told them to take a seat near the piano, while she played over the accompaniment. She was so pretty and so kind that Alfred soon got over his shyness, and sang the pieces which she wished him to try, very well.