It is hard to say where the matter would have ended had not Miss Jameson, another member of the social committee, appeared just then, and ordered them to the parlor, where Amy was wanted to play.
After the company had listened to several instrumental pieces and one or two solos by different girls, one of the young men asked, "Don't you sing, Mr. Falkner?"
"Of course he does," and all began calling for a song.
A sudden thought struck Dick, and stepping quickly to the piano, he played his own accompaniment and sang, in a rich baritone voice, a street song:
"They tell me go work for a living,
And not round the country to stamp;
And then when I ask for employment,
They say there's no work for a tramp."
The song was by no means a classic one, but the manner in which Dick rendered it made it seem so, and as he sang:
"There's many a true heart beating,
Beneath the old coat of a tramp."
A strange hush fell over the little audience, and when the song was finished a subdued murmur of applause filled the room, while eager voices called for more. Dick responded with another selection and then declaring that he had done his share, left the instrument and seated himself by Charlie's side.
"Good, old man," said that young gentleman, in a whisper, "but where in the world did you learn all that?"
"Dance hall and variety," whispered Dick. "Never thought I'd air that accomplishment at a church social."