"I'll not sing one note!" she declared, standing tall, "not one single note!" Just then, in ran Amy Loughead.
"Oh dear, and oh dear!"
"What is the matter?" asked Charlotte, not moving.
"Oh, I'm so frightened," gasped Amy, shivering from head to foot, "there are so many people in there, oh—oh! I can't play!" beating her hands together in terror.
"You must," said Charlotte unsympathizingly.
"I can't—I can't. Oh, I shall die! The hall is full, and they keep coming in. Oh—Miss Pepper!"
For Polly, in her soft white gown, was coming quickly into the dressing-room.
"Your hands are just as cold as ice," said Polly, gathering up Amy's shaking little palms into her own. "There now, we'll see if we can't coax them into playing order," rubbing them between her own warm ones.
"Oh, I can feel all those people's eyes staring through me," cried Amy, huddling up against Polly.
"You mustn't think of their eyes, child," laughed Polly. But there was a little white line around her mouth. Just then a messenger came in with a note.