A merry laugh from behind the door made them both turn in a hurry.
"Yes, Frankie, that's just it. You do nothing but diddle over that one strain. I should think you would be ashamed of yourself when pa's paying so much money for your lessons."
"Now, Frank, I'm going to lay by my book, and attend to you," said Aunt Sarah; "you must give your mind to it."
She drew a chair close to his side, and, pointing out the notes, said, firmly, "Begin there!"
He did so, and for a short time picked out the notes quite correctly, his aunt counting the time for him; but a slight movement of Tony from the floor to the sofa, which she thought would be an easier resting-place, upset him again.
"My head aches terribly," he exclaimed.
"You always say so," muttered Edward. "I wouldn't be such a baby."
After this, it was quite in vain that Aunt Sarah tried to fix his attention. He did indeed touch a few chords; but nothing was accomplished. He complained continually that his head ached.
It wanted fifteen minutes of eleven when his mother came in.
"How do you come on, my dear?" she asked. "I'll hear you now."