Miss Dexie: A Romance of the ProvincesEveleth, Stanford
General
Miss Dexie: A Romance of the Provinces
Eveleth, Stanford
Fiction
It was the same chorus that had delighted the listeners the morning after
the adventure in the snow-drifts, and the rendering of it was greatly
enhanced by the better instrument before them.
Lancy played the accompaniment and whistled with her, and their voices
seemed transformed into veritable song-birds, as they joined or answered
each other's call.
"We must have that at our concert, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross. "We
cannot afford to miss it. How is it that I never had the pleasure of
listening to this sort of music before, Mr. Gurney? You should have told us
of this new accomplishment, Miss Sherwood."
"Indeed! you never would have heard it at all, if I had not forgotten
myself so completely," said Dexie, smiling; "but as to whistling at the
concert, that is out of the question. It is distressing enough to show my
tomboyism before the members here."
"Nonsense! there is nothing of the 'tomboy' about that kind of whistling,"
said one of the members. "It is an accomplishment few possess."
"Well, it is fortunate for us that you made us aware of this talent of
yours, even though it was unintentional on your part, Miss Sherwood," said
Mr. Ross. "We must persuade you to give others the pleasure of hearing you.
It would add much to the attraction of our concert."
"You are most kind, and your remarks most flattering, but I must be
excused," said Dexie, turning with a smile to those who had addressed her.
"I do not forget that 'whistling girls' are generally frowned down."
"But there is no comparison between the usual tomboy whistle of girls, and
those bobolink, canary-bird notes that come from your lips," said an
enthusiastic member.
"Miss Sherwood, I am going to place that piece third on the programme, and
will call around to-morrow and see you and arrange for these extra pieces.
We can leave out some of the songs rather than miss the treat you can give
to those who will be eager to hear you," said the leader, persuasively.
"Indeed, Mr. Ross, I could not think of whistling before the audience we
hope to have, so I will excuse you from calling upon me, if that is to be
your errand," said Dexie, hurriedly. "I am doing my share as it is."
"Well, if you think it will be too much for you, someone else might take
your solo; but that seems a pity, when you are so well prepared. Do you
find it tiresome to whistle?"
"Oh, it is not that; it would not tire me if I whistled all day. But I
cannot face a hall full of people and whistle to them. It would be
dreadful!"
"I would not urge the matter if I did not feel positive of your success. I
am sure the members of the club have the average intelligence, and, seeing
that you have charmed us all by your unique performance, you need have no
hesitancy in trying your powers before a Halifax audience," was the reply.
"Don't think of it. Oh, I never could do it, Mr. Ross. I should be hissed
off the stage."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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