"Yes, that will do for the first bite," was the reply, of one of the young men. Pete showed his ivories and darted off again. But on the return trip he had an assistant, and between the two the board was amply spread.
"I'll just be rusticatin' round here, Susan, so you needn't stay," he said, as Susan announced her readiness to "fetch them anything else that was needed."
The girl looked at Pete, then at the party. Her look of inquiry was met with: "O, no, there is no need of you waiting, if we require anything he can get it."
Pete made a bow, and Susan, glad to be relieved, thanked them and retired. Pete would have acted in full the part of waiter; already he had installed himself behind the prettiest young girl's chair, but he was requested to seat himself outside and keep his ears open in case of being needed.
Seating himself on the top step of the summer-house, and leaning his back against the lattice-work, he obeyed orders by listening intently to all the conversation. He evidently favored the ladies, from the nods of approval and looks of delight which he gave at their remarks.
It certainly could not have been from the conversation that he was reminded of angels; perhaps the bright, fair faces of the girls and their light attire suggested it, but he began, during a little lull in the talking, to hum:—
"O, gib me de wings of de angels,
To fly away, to fly away,—"
before he had gone farther, there was an exclamation of delight; "Don't stop, sing it all, it is splendid!"
Pete chuckled and after wriggling round to where he could see without being seen, and clearing his throat several times, took up the strain again; this time in a louder key, and with the swaying of the whole body, where before it had only been the movement of the head.
"O, gib me de wings of de angels,
To fly away, to fly away,
O, gib me de wings of de angels,
To fly to my heabenly home.
Thar thar ain't any sorrow nor sighin',
Thar thar ain't any sickness nor dyin',
But de Lord will himself wipe de tears from our eyes,
When we fly to our heabenly home.
O, gib me de wings of de angels,
To fly away, to fly away;
O, gib me de wings of de angels
To fly to my heabenly home;
Thar we'll all be dressed up in white raiment,
And keep walkin' along de gold pavement,
And we'll each hab a crown and a harp in our hand,
When we fly to our heabenly home.
O, gib me de wings of de angels,
To fly away, to fly away;
O, gib me de wings of de angels,
To fly to my heabenly home.
Thar we'll sing hallelujah foreber,
And keep wavin' our palms all together,
And the Saviour will say, 'Come sit down by my side,'
When we fly to our heabenly home."