They strolled back into what they strongly suspected was the only furnished room on that floor, and distributed themselves about on the sofa and two chairs.
“Won’t you play for us, dear, on that beautiful big piano?” asked Miss Campbell, who was really enjoying the adventure.
“I’m afraid I don’t play well enough to play before company. It was papa’s piano. He was a musician. Perhaps some of you will play, and I’ll open the door so that mamma can hear the music from upstairs.”
“Is your mother ill?” asked Miss Campbell. “Are you sure we won’t disturb her?”
“She is always ill,” answered the girl sadly. “She never leaves her room. But music was once her greatest pleasure and I know she would enjoy hearing some one else play besides me.”
“Edward,” said Georgiana, “won’t you play for Miss l’Estrange?”
The quiet English boy became suddenly animated. He had been leaning on the piano ever since he had been in the room. Perhaps his fingers were itching to touch the keys, for when he sat down and began to play the notes seemed to run from their ends like water from the mouth of a fountain. He played so beautifully that the girls began to comprehend why he never appeared to be hearing anything that was said around him.
“Supper is served, Miss Virginia,” announced Mammy at the door, just as they were crowding around the young pianist with exclamations of pleasure.
“I’m sorry we can’t eat in the dining-room,” said Virginia, “but, as you see, the table is too small.”
And that was the only apology she made that evening.