the most rollicking tune that was ever danced by; but the very contrast between words and tune made the words sink into my heart as nothing else could have done, for I did not learn very readily.  Of course, dear, I do not approve of it; but children are children, and the longer they remain so the better, I think,” and with a little sigh Mrs. Gurney left the room, laying her hand lovingly on Elsie’s head as she passed her.

More than an hour passed before the contents of the box had been examined, then with Dexie’s assistance the wrappings which covered the floor were picked up, tables were tidied, and the room put in order.

Mrs. Gurney drew Lancy aside as soon as he entered the house, to explain the difficulty about Dexie.

“What!  Not whistle or go near us!” he cried.  “Why, she’ll have to!  Everybody is talking about the concert, and inquiring about our ‘warbler.’  Those handbills were the greatest success.  Not whistle, indeed, when the crowd will be there on purpose to hear her.  Why, mother, she is the chief attraction!  Where is she?  I’ll show her very soon that she can’t back out.  They would mob us if she failed to appear.  Why, I couldn’t go either if she did not.”

“Softly, softly, my son,” laying her hand on his arm.  “Wait a moment till I explain further.  Dexie is not one to be forced into doing a thing she does not like, and if you talk to her in that strain you will only strengthen her determination to stay at home.  She must be treated differently if we would gain her full consent, and nothing short of that will do.  I have watched her face, and I know that unless quiet measures are used she will resist to the last.  My boy, I am quite as anxious as you are about it, so do not look so wild.  Listen to my plan.”

Lancy’s excitement cooled down as he listened to his mother’s advice, and he promised to do his part if sufficient self-control were granted him.

CHAPTER XVI.

When they met around the dinner-table Lancy was strangely silent, though his eyes shone with suppressed feeling, and Dexie began to hope that the subject of the concert would not be broached; but her hopes were rudely shattered as Mr. Gurney turned his smiling face and said: 

“So you have honored us with your company to-day, Miss Dexie.  Are you aware, wife, that our young neighbor has found a place in the hearts of the public, though her identity is hidden as yet under the sweet sounding title of ‘American Warbler?’ Every one is asking, ‘Who is it?’”

Some commonplace remark from Mrs. Gurney, followed by a warning look, caused the subject to be suddenly changed, and in the conversation that followed, the angry flush faded from Dexie’s cheeks, the firm shut mouth relaxed; but the workings of her mind were not quite hidden from the motherly eyes that watched her so closely.

Dexie was fully determined not to go to the concert, yet she would not have cared to confess it to those around her, knowing how shocked they would be at such a resolution.  Somehow the matter looked different while she was among them as one of the family.  She was sure that the high sense of honor that prevailed among the Gurneys would be sufficient to make any of them fulfil a promise once made, even at a great sacrifice to themselves.