Peter would have been more amused if he hadn't thought that Shad Wells was unhappy.
He needed the man's allegiance and he had no wish to make an enemy of him.
"Musician!" Shad growled. "Then it was you the men heard last night."
"I found a piano in the cabin. I was trying it," said Peter. Shad said nothing in reply but he put every shade of scorn into the way in which he spat into the road.
"A piano——!" Beth gasped. "Where? What cabin?"
"The playhouse—where I live," said Peter politely.
"Oh."
There was a silence on the part of both of his companions, awkwardly long.
So Peter made an effort to relieve the tension, commenting on the new arrivals at Black Rock House.
At the mention of Peggy's name Beth showed fresh excitement.