Near the Monument the Marine Band had begun its program for the first afternoon concert of the season. A great many people had begun to gather in groups on the green. The music had seemed to reach Keineth and her father as though it was all a part of the soft spring air and beauty around them--they had scarcely heeded it as they talked! But suddenly a familiar note struck Keineth's ear. She lifted her head quickly.
"Oh, listen!" she cried, clutching his arm. "Listen!"
"What is it, child?" He was startled by the look on her face. She had sprung to her feet.
"That--that--" she whispered as though her voice might drown out the soft strains of the music, "that is my Castle of Dreams!" She lifted her hand to beg him not to speak until it had ended. They listened together until the last note died away.
"Beautiful, my dear, but--"
She turned shining eyes toward him. "I wrote it," she added simply.
"You--you--" He stared at her in such a funny way that Keineth burst out laughing. "Why, my dear--"
"Aunt Nellie taught me to write music! And I sold this! I didn't want to tell you until I had a chance to play it for you."
"You--wrote--that?" He seemed not able to really believe. "My little girl?" A world of pride warmed the tone of his voice.
"Yes, and it's such fun putting down what comes to my fingers! Only Mr. Cadowitz says that I must learn a great deal more and practice what the masters can teach me. And Aunt Nellie says, too, that I ought to wait until I have finished school."