Janet Carey heaved a sad sigh, and passed her hand over her weary brow. She had had a tiring day: there were times when she thought her duties would get beyond her. Rising to follow the rebellious flock, she caught sight of Dr. Knox, seated back in the wide old cane chair. "Oh! I--I beg your pardon. I had no idea any one was here." He came forward smiling; Janet had sat down again in her surprise. "And though I am here? Why should you beg my pardon, Miss Carey?" "For singing before you. I did not know--I am very sorry." "Perhaps you fancy I don't like singing?" "Mine is such poor singing, sir. And the songs are so old. I can't play: I often only play to them with one hand." "The singing is so poor--and the songs are so old, that I was going to ask of you--to beg of you--to sing one of them again for me." She stood glancing up at him with her nice eyes, as shy as could be, uncertain whether he was mocking her. "Do you know, Miss Carey, that I never ask a young lady for a song now. I don't care to hear the new songs, they are so poor and frivolous: the old ones are worth a king's ransom. _Won't_ you oblige me?" "What shall I sing?" "The one you have just sung. 'Blow, blow, thou wintry wind.'" He drew a chair close, and listened; and seemed lost in thought when it was over. Janet could not conveniently get up without pushing the stool against him, and so sat in silence. "My mother used to sing that song," he said, looking up. "I can recall her every note as well as though I had heard her yesterday. 'As friends remembering not'! Ay: it's a harsh world--and it grows more harsh and selfish day by day. I don't think it treats _you_ any too well, Miss Carey." "Me, sir?" "Who remembers you?" "Not many people. But I have never had any friends to speak of." "Will you give me another song? The one I heard Mina ask you for--'Pray, Goody.' My mother used to sing that also." "I don't know whether I must stay. The children will be getting into mischief." "Never mind the children. I'll take the responsibility." Janet sang the song. Before it was finished the flock came in again. Dicky had tried to pull the magpie's feathers out, so James had let it fly.