"Ah, that was a great deal for you. Now what if I try a little? Bend down your head. I have a violin up stairs. Father bought it for me new year's day. It did not cost much, but there is music in it, and I have learned to play a little. Now I will just steal away and bring it down without letting them see me. Won't it astonish them to hear the music burst up all at once from our corner?" The boy's eyes sparkled, and he seemed quite animated with his little plot. "That will be pleasant," replied Mary, equally delighted with the idea. "Let me go! Where shall I find the violin?" "In the corner cupboard--there is a little fire-light--you will not miss it," answered the lad, smiling gratefully. Mary stole away and soon returned with the violin. She contrived to reach the boy without being seen, and the two sat close together, while he noiselessly tried the strings and fixed the bow. There was a momentary hush in the conversation. "Now!" whispered Mary, "now!" The boy drew his bow, and such a burst of music poured from the strings, that even Mary started with astonishment. "Ha, my son!" said the artist, "that was well thought of! now do your best!" The boy answered only with a smile, but his slender fingers flew up and down on the strings, the bow flashed across them like lightning, and the apartment rung with music. Spite of all its good resolutions, the Canary bird had gone to sleep, with its head under one wing, but with the first note of music it was all in a flutter of delight, and set up an opposition to the violin that threatened to rend its quivering little form in twain. Isabel, light and graceful as the bird, sprang from her seat and began to waltz about the room, her curls floating in the air, and her cheeks bright as a ripe peach. She looked like a fairy excited by the music. "Come, what if we all get up a dance?" said Chester, approaching the needle-merchant's wife. She looked at her husband. "A capital idea!" cried the little man, all in a glow, seizing upon the hand of the widow. "Indeed, I--I--my dancing days are over," faltered the widow, half withdrawing her hand, but looking provokingly irresolute. "Oh, aunty, let me see you dance once, only this once!" cried the boy, breaking the strain of his music. The widow turned a look of tenderness upon her charge, and with a blush on her cheek was led to the floor. "They want another couple--who will dance with me?" said Mrs. Chester, casting a smiling challenge at the old gentleman. "Oh, father, do," cried the boy, "see, they cannot get along without you." "I shall put you all out--I haven't taken a step in twenty years," pleaded the old man. "Never mind, we will teach you--we will all teach you--so come along," broke from half a dozen voices, and Mrs. Chester laughingly took the old man captive, leading him to the floor with a look of playful triumph.