The next morning George Howe and Leander Towle left the party for Birmingham, London, and Paris, as their means would not admit of their making easy zigzag journeys through England, in the way that Master Lewis had planned for the other boys. They agreed to meet Master Lewis and their companions in London, on their return from Paris, at which time they would have completed their tour, and would be obliged to leave for home before the others made their journey through Normandy.
Ernest Wynn, as we have said, was very fond of old English and Scottish ballads, and he never lost any good opportunity to hear a new song.
While the party were talking over their plans for visiting English places, the sound of a piano in an adjoining room fell upon Ernest’s ear.
He left his companions, and, going into the open room from which the music came, listened attentively to the playing.
“Do you sing?” asked Ernest of the player, who was a pleasant-faced little miss about ten or twelve years of age.
“I like music. Will you not sing for me?”
“If I can. What would you have me sing?”
“Oh, something about Carlisle: something that I would not hear at home.”
“Where is your home?”