“Does Mr. Beck live near you?” asked our hero, a little later.
“Bless you! he lives in our place.”
“I suppose his services are in demand?”
“Yes, he is sent for to all the towns around. Fact is, there isn’t anybody but he that can play to suit; but I expect, from what I’ve heard, that you can come up to him.”
“I couldn’t expect to do that,” said Philip modestly. “I am very young yet.”
“Folks do say you beat Paul. It seems wonderful, too, considering how young you are. What might be your age, now?”
“Just sixteen.”
“Sho! you don’t say so? Why, Paul Beck’s over fifty.”
“Mr. Beck won’t think I’m interfering with him, will he?” asked Philip.
“Of course, he can’t. We’d a had him if he was well. We can’t be expected to put off the party because he’s sick. That wouldn’t be reasonable, now, would it?”