“Oh, I am sure it won’t. She’ll love to hear you.”

He felt immensely grateful to this good-natured woman.

“Edward, get my music-roll,” said Mrs. Hargreaves.

But Herbert had a horrible disappointment when Hargreaves said:

“By Jove! I believe I left it in the taxi. Yes, I am sure I did!”

Herbert put his hand up to his aching head and whispered his anguish:

“Oh, my God! Now how shall I mark time?”

“But I reminded you about it!” said Mrs. Hargreaves.

“Yes, I know. But you are always reminding me about something.”

“Well, play something by heart,” said Herbert in a pleading way. “Any old thing. The five-finger exercises.”