John Markham turned suddenly around, so that the boys could not see the amusement upon his face. He wanted to laugh outright, so funny did it all seem. He longed to rush out and tell some of his friends the whole story. The thought of the famous woman being asked to go to sing in an out-of-the-way country place, and to receive half the proceeds, tickled him immensely.
Miss Royanna was also amused, and her eyes twinkled as Rod blurted out his request. And yet there was something about his straightforward manner which appealed to her. She thought, too, of the sick girl, and the spirit of true chivalry which had caused these two boys to come all the way to the city for her sake. How disappointed they would be when she told them how utterly impossible it would be for her to go.
"Where is this concert to take place?" she at length enquired.
"At Headquarters, just in front of Whyn's window, so she can see and hear," was the reply.
"Yes, but where? How far is it from the city?"
"Oh, I forgot that," and Rod smiled. "I thought everybody knew that
Captain Josh lived at Hillcrest."
"Hillcrest, did you say?" the woman demanded, while a new interest shone in her eyes.
"Yes. It's on the river, about twenty-five miles from here. You could go up in the afternoon boat, and get there in plenty of time."
The woman sat up suddenly in her chair now, for an idea had stabbed her mind with a startling intensity. Could it be possible, she asked herself, that this is he? Those eyes recalled one whose memory was very dear, and that erect poise of the head, crowned with such golden curls, could belong to no one else. And he was from Hillcrest as well, the very place.
"Tell me," she said in a low voice, controlling herself as much as possible, "your name, my little man."