“I cal—I guess all the things I know are sort of funny,” he said apologetically. “I know ‘Barney Ferry’; ever hear that?” Ned had to acknowledge that he hadn’t. And he was forced to make similar admissions regarding several other songs of John’s suggestion. Finally, however, John mentioned “Sally in Our Alley,” and Ned swung around and started the tune.
“Got you there, Cal. Come on and sing it.”
So John, who had wandered across to the piano, cleared his throat, hunched his shoulders once or twice and began. Hoop and Dutch nudged each other and The Fungus winked amusedly at Sandy. But John had a surprise for them and the grins disappeared. He had a good voice and had learned how to use it, and as soon as his nervousness had been forgotten he held his audience silent and delighted. Sandy raised his eyebrows and nodded appreciatively at Dutch. They all paid John the compliment of refraining from joining in with him and when he had finished applause was genuine and whole-hearted.
“Good work, old man!” cried Sandy, slapping him on the back. “You can do it as well as Ned can.”
“A lot better,” said Ned. “He’s got a peach of a voice. What else do you know?”
“That’s all, I guess,” answered John, smiling with pleasure and embarrassment.
“Now do sing something else,” begged Mrs. Linn, wiping her eyes. “That was just lovely. My, the times I’ve heard that song when I was a girl at home! Quite carries me back, it does!”
“Maybe if you’ll let me sit down there,” said John, “I can sort of find the tune. I’ll try if you want me to.”
“Sure thing!”