“We’re going to make it,” she said softly, “every cent! Look, grandpa, they’re selling the last seats for five dollars--away back, too!” “Scandalous!” retorted the colonel. “Can’t see a thing there but the top of Mrs. Payson’s bonnet, and there’ll be a draft from the door. You’ve got no conscience, Jinny. Make them sell those for a dollar.” She laughed, patting his arm. “You go and take your seat; I’ve got to be back in the reception-room to meet the singers.” The old man nodded, making his way to a front seat, and looking about him interestedly as he went. The congregation was there in force, with the rector and his wife well down in front; but, for the first time in the history of their church entertainments, the rest of the townspeople appeared there, too. Colonel Denbigh counted three ministers and half a dozen deacons. The black coats and white neckties were well forward, and there were three old ladies, patrons of the church, already seated, with their ear trumpets at their ears. On the rear benches the young people were congregated, and, as the hall filled, the young men of the town stood about in groups in the aisles and behind the last seats. But it was a very solemn gathering, after all. “Sunday-school meeting,” thought the colonel. “Hard-shelled Baptists and Methodists on one side, and High-church Episcopalians and Roman Catholics on the other. Needs something a little sprightly to make ’em sit up and take notice. I wonder----” He looked about him curiously, and then he saw Mr. Carter going slowly down the aisle, followed by his wife and Emily. “Hello!” said the colonel. “Didn’t expect such luck. You’ve got the seat next to me, Mrs. Carter. How are you, Emily?” He glanced rather sharply at the girl as he spoke, startled by her unusual appearance, for Emily’s white eyelashes were now a dark brown, and her nose was whitened. “Bless my soul!” thought the colonel, and then, to Mr. Carter: “Where’s William and his pretty wife?” “William isn’t coming,” Mr. Carter replied shortly, seating himself heavily and feeling of his necktie. “He’s at home, smoking a pipe with Dan. His wife”--Mr. Carter glanced at the lighted platform, filled with a grand piano and many palms--“I suppose she’s coming. She started with Leigh half an hour ago. He’s bringing her.” “Humph!” The colonel tried to think of something more to say, but Mrs. Payson relieved him. She fluttered across the aisle. “Dear Mrs. Carter, we’re all crazy to hear your new daughter sing! Judge Jessup says she’s got a lovely voice.” Mrs. Carter smiled tremulously and blushed. “Yes,” she said faintly, but with some pride in her voice. “The judge heard her the other night. She’s--she’s coming with Leigh.” As she spoke there was a flutter and stir in the audience, and Mrs. Payson retreated hastily to a front seat. Judge Jessup had just appeared on the platform with a tall, thin man who wore an immaculate dress-suit and displayed an amazing head of black hair.