“How shall we arrange about the compensation, Mr. Beck?” asked Blake. “We ought in that case to give him more than half.”
“Oh, you can give him the whole,” answered Beck carelessly. “If I felt well enough to play, I would do my part, but I think it will be better for me to go home and go to bed.”
His decision was communicated to Philip, who felt impelled by politeness to express his regrets to Mr. Beck.
“I am sorry you don’t feel able to play, Mr. Beck,” he said politely.
“Oh, it’s of no consequence, as they’ve got some one to take my place,” returned Beck coldly.
“I should be glad to hear you play again,” continued Philip.
Paul Beck nodded slightly, but he felt too much mortified to reciprocate Philip’s friendly advances. Half an hour later he left the hall.
The dancers by no means regretted the change of arrangement. They evidently preferred the young musician to his elderly rival. The only one to express regret was Miss Maria Snodgrass.
“I declare it’s a shame Mr. Beck has given up,” she said. “I wanted you to dance with me, Mr. Gray. I am sure if you can dance as well as you can play, you would get along perfectly lovely. Now you’ve got to play, and can’t dance at all.”
“It isn’t leap-year, Maria,” said Jedidiah Burbank, in a jealous tone.