"Oh, because Isabel made him believe that it would not be fair to Miss Cleaver."
"Oh, Emily, that was not why Isabel would not, and she never said it was," exclaimed Alice; "she told Everard she had several reasons for not singing, and, she added, it would not be fair to Miss Cleaver after being in the choir so long."
"And pray what might these weighty reasons be?" asked Grace.
"I don't know," returned Alice.
"Nor Isabel, either, I imagine," Grace answered.
"What are you so perturbed about, Emily?" asked Isabel, who now joined them."
"The choir are in trouble about the anthem."
"How is that?" inquired Isabel.
"Mary Cleaver is sick," returned Emily, "and Everard is awfully put out about it."
Everard entered with a roll of music in his hand.