"Heavenly!" cried Barbara. "If Doctor Johnson teaches Basil what I 've taught Doctor Johnson, Doctor Sternroyd shall get me a licence, too."
"Yes," said Marjolaine, "we'll keep him busy." Then she turned to where Basil was gloomily watching them, and called, "Mr. Basil!"
Basil hurried forward eagerly, "Yes, Miss Marjory?"
"Barbara is not feeling very well," said Marjolaine, sympathetically; and immediately Barbara looked languishing and pathetic.
"Heavens!" cried Basil in genuine alarm, "Shall I play to her?"
"Oh, no!" cried Marjolaine, innocently, "it's not so bad as that. But it's her evening hour with Doctor Johnson, and she does n't feel quite equal to it."
Ruth had overheard this last statement. "Why, bless her heart!" she interrupted tartly, "she 's been sitting with that bird all day!"
Barbara lifted great reproachful eyes at her. "Unkind Ruth! The lonely bird!"
Marjolaine went on rapidly, addressing Basil, "So she wondered whether you would take her place for once."
"Why, of course!" cried Basil. "With the greatest pleasure in life!"