"I should like to hear it again very much," said Benny; "but don't sing it if you would rather not."
"I will do my best, anyhow;" and she got up and went to the piano.
"Ring for lights, dear," said Mrs. Munroe, addressing her daughter; "it is getting quite dark."
"No, no, aunt, please," said Eva; "I know it quite well without the music, and I think the gloaming is the nicest part of the day;" and she sat down and began to play over the air; then there was a long pause, for Eva's thoughts had wandered away elsewhere.
"We are all attention, dear," said Mrs. Munroe.
"Excuse me," said Eva; "but I was thinking of something else. I will tell you all about it directly, if you care to hear."
Then, clear and sweet, rang out the words,
"There is beauty all around,
When there's love at home."
And Benny felt thankful that the lights had not been brought, for in the gloom he could hide his emotion. When the song was finished, Eva swung herself round on the music-stool, and said,
"You will think me very silly, I have no doubt, but I never sing that old song without thinking of what happened years ago."