"SALLY STOOD AGAINST A TREE AND SANG WITHOUT A THOUGHT OR CARE."
As she stopped, full of the joy of hearing her own young voice, she heard a little sound, and, turning around, oh! oh! there stood Master Sutcliff, the precentor, or leader of the meeting-house choir, which was made up of all such young men and maidens as could sing with melody in their voices.
Master Sutcliff was also teacher of the singing-school, to which all were welcome who could pay the regular fee, either in money, apples, fruit, or hay.
"You have a heartsome voice," said the singing master, coming closer to Sally, and speaking in his own rich bass. "A heartsome voice; how would it please you to come to the singing-school and help lead some of the more timorous ones?"
"I do not think my mistress would allow it," said Sally, with downcast eyes.
"If she consents would'st come?" asked Master Sutcliff. "I will teach you to sing correctly, and do something toward training the voice a kind Providence hath given thee."
"Yes, I would come," said Sally, without lifting her eyes.
Off strode Master Sutcliff, but Sally could sing no more. What would Mistress Cory Ann say?
"She will not allow it," said Sally to herself.