a world in which the good were of necessity frail and ill, and the bad
were rosy-cheeked and merry. "How do you mean?" he asked at last.

And Sophie answered quite simply, "She lives with a fellow."

The blood leaped into Samuel's face. Such a blunder for him to have
made.

But then the flush passed, giving place to a feeling of horrified
wonder. For Sophie was not in the least embarrassed--she spoke in the
most matter-of-fact tone. And this from a child of thirteen, who did
not look to be ten.

"I see," said he in a faint voice.

"A good many of the girls do it," she added. "You see, they move about
so much--the mills close, and so a girl has no hope of marrying. But
mothers says it's wrong, just the same."

And Samuel walked home the rest of the way in silence, and thinking no
more about the joys of music.




CHAPTER VII


On Monday morning Samuel found that Professor Stewart had returned,
and he sat in the great man's study and waited until he had finished