Silently and not very readily he selected from his own ample if not elegant wardrobe the pieces she asked. Perhaps it was not strange that he was ungracious. He had fought for his crust and disputed the wall side of a warm grating with others in as desperate case as himself; and that does not breed readiness to welcome newcomers of doubtful character.
Yet Sydney himself was puzzled by this emotion. He had never grudged things before. He had usually been ready to share the crust he fought for. Why could he not feel kinder to this boy, Max? Thoroughly ashamed, he determined to discipline himself.
At the late breakfast the boy told more of himself, yet nothing that revealed his past; and his hostess did not ask it, but pressed the good food on him, as pleased to see him eat as if he had been her own son.
“Already are you better!” she exclaimed, delighted, as they rose from the table. “Not once have you coughed.”
“I’d be ill-bred to disturb such a breakfast with coughing.” He made a little bow and stepped back for her to pass.
Sydney could see that the speech, the bow, everything Max did with such an air of elegance, was quite natural, quite unconsciously done. And in the parlor where every Sunday morning after breakfast Mrs. Schmitz and Sydney sang together, the new boy proved by every word and movement that he had been born to a refinement that Sydney believed beyond his own greatest effort to acquire.
Here as all over the house the furniture was incongruous, though, differing from that in Sydney’s room, it was expensive and modern. But three things stood for culture; the grand piano, a violin in its case, and a mahogany music cabinet filled with music.
“You can sing?” she questioned; “or play the violin?” she added, seeing his glance fixed upon it.
“I haven’t much of a voice, but I used to play a little.”
She crossed the room to take the instrument from its case, but stood motionless for a moment, her back to the boys, her hands hanging limp. When at last she did bring it to view, her hands were trembling. Each touch was a caress; and when she adjusted the bow and placed the violin in position to tune, Sydney heard her sigh.