‘Hush now, Val.  Here they come,’ as the whole chorus trooped in and began the ‘Men of Harlech.’

Val was reduced to silence, but there was a long instrumental performance afterwards, during which bad examples of chattering emboldened her to whisper—–­

’Did you see Beatrice Varley?  And Miss Berry, our singing-mistress—–­ and Alexis White?  Maura says—–­’

Aunt Jane gave a touch and a frown which reduced Valetta to silence at this critical moment; and she sat still through a good deal, only giving a little jump when Alexis White, with various others, came to sing a glee.

Gillian could study the youth, who certainly was, as Aunt Ada said, remarkable for the cameo-like cutting of his profile, though perhaps no one without an eye for art would have remarked it, as he had the callow unformed air of a lad of seventeen or eighteen, and looked shy and grave; but his voice was a fine one, and was heard to more advantage in the solos to a hunting song which shortly followed.

Valetta had been rather alarmed at the applause at first, but she soon found out what an opportunity it gave for conversation, and after a good deal of popping her head about, she took advantage of the encores to excuse herself by saying, ’I wanted to see if Maura White was there.  She was to go if Mrs. Lee—–­that’s the lodger—–­would take her.  She says Kally won’t go, or sing, or anything, because—–­’

How tantalising! the singers reappeared, and Valetta was reduced to silence.  Nor could the subject be renewed in the interval between the parts, for Major Dennis came and stood in front, and talked to Miss Mohun; and after that Valetta grew sleepy, and nothing was to be got out of her till all was over, when she awoke into extra animation, and chattered so vehemently all the way home that her aunt advised Gillian to get her to bed as quietly as possible, or she would not sleep all night, and would be good for nothing the next day.

Gillian, however, being given to think for herself in all cases of counsel from Aunt Jane, thought it could do no harm to beguile the brushing of the child’s hair by asking why Kalliope would not come to the concert.

’Oh, it’s a great secret, but Maura told me in the cloakroom.  It is because Mr. Frank wants to be her—–­to be her—–­her admirer,’ said Valetta, cocking her head on one side, and adding to the already crimson colour of her cheeks.

‘Nonsense, Val, what do you and Maura know of such things?’

’We aren’t babies, Gill, and it is very unkind of you, when you told me I was to make friends with Maura White; and Kitty Varley is quite cross with me about it.’

’I told you to be kind to Maura, but not to talk about such foolish things.’

’I don’t see why they should be foolish.  It is what we all must come to.  Grown-up people do, as Lois says.  I heard Aunt Ada going on ever so long about Beatrice Varley and that gentleman.’