Lovell Barlow, he of the dignified countenance and spade-shaped beard,
had faintly and helplessly echoed that snicker, and now repeated Harvey's
words:--
"Ahem, certainly--Do you sing, teacher? Do you, now? Do you sing, you
know?"
I had some new and seriously awakened doubts on the subject. However, the
degree of attainment not being brought into question, I felt that I could
answer in the affirmative.
The countenances of the group brightened still more perceptibly.
"And do you sing No. 2?" inquired Harvey, eagerly.
I tried to assume, in reply, a tone of equal animation.
"Is it something new? I don't think I've heard of it before."
"Why, it's the Moody and Sankey hymn-book!" exclaimed Harvey, looking
suddenly blank.
I strove to soften the effect of this blow by a lively show of
recognition.
"Oh, yes, I know perfectly now. It's 'Hold the Fort,' 'Ring the Bells of
Heaven,' and all those songs, isn't it?"
"'Hold the Fort' 's in No. 1," said George Olver, a new speaker, with
beautiful, brave, brown eyes, and a soldierly bearing.
He spoke, correcting me, but with the tender consideration which a father
might display toward an unenlightened child.
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