Ned broke into a rollicking song that had become popular during the summer and the others joined lustily in the chorus. In the middle of it Dutch seized a sofa cushion and aimed a blow at The Fungus.
“Cut out the parlor tricks,” cried Hoop.
“He was trying to sing! I heard him!”
“I never!”
“You did, Fungus! You were making awful noises in your throat,” charged Dutch.
“I was trying to cough. I guess I may cough if I want to!”
“You go outdoors and do it. This is a gentlemen’s party. Give us that chorus again, Ned.”
Ned obeyed and Dutch and Hoop stood guard over The Fungus and threatened him whenever he started to open his mouth. Mrs. Linn tiptoed in and seated herself in a chair which Spud moved forward for her, beaming upon them.
“I do love to hear them sing,” she confided to Claire in whispers. “I’ve always been fond of music. My husband had such a grand tenor voice. I wish you might have heard him.”
“Yes’m,” said Claire. “I wish I might have. Did he—did he lose it?”