"I'll sail upon the Dog-star,
I'll sail upon the Dog-star,
And then pursue the morning
And then pursue, and then pursue the morning.
"I'll chase the moon, till it be noon,
I'll chase the moon, till it be noon,
But I'll make her leave her horning.
"I'll climb the frosty mountain,
I'll climb the frosty mountain,
And there I'll coin the weather.
"I'll tear the rainbow from the sky
And tie both ends together."
The ringing girlish voice rose high and true and clear.
"Bravo!" cried a man's voice and then:
"And she'll do it, too!"
It was at this point that Martin took Doris from the room.
In the quiet of the deserted piazza Doris looked up at Martin through tears.
"Joan is feeling her oats." Martin walked to and fro; he had been more moved by the song than he cared to confess.
"The darling!" Doris whispered. Then: "Can't you see what Miss Phillips meant, Davey? The child is talented—she shall never be held back. Wealth can be as cruel and crippling as poverty. Be prepared, David, I mean to let Joan—free."
Martin came close and sat down.
"Go easy, Doris," he cautioned, then asked: "And how about Nancy?"