“You—you don’t like it?” he stammered incredulously.
“No, oh, no,” gasped Gretel. “Please don’t do it again; I’m afraid you’ll break the piano.”
Peter was offended. Never before had his “very best stunt” been received in such a manner.
“I won’t play any more,” he said, sulkily. “I don’t know what you want, anyway.”
“I told her she wouldn’t like it,” scoffed Lillie. “She likes real music, the same as I do. You’d better let me finish ‘Just as the Sun Went Down.’”
But Peter had no intention of yielding the point so easily.
“You’ve sung enough,” he maintained doggedly. “It’s her turn to play now; let’s see what she can do.”
“I’m afraid you wouldn’t care about my music,” said Gretel, blushing. “Don’t you think perhaps it would be a good idea to have the refreshments now?”
“All right,” said Peter, his face brightening.
Lillie said nothing, but cast more than one regretful glance in the direction of the piano as Gretel led the way to the dining-room.