Dexie felt angry for bringing this embarrassing position upon herself, and
she was wondering if it would be possible for her to slip away unperceived,
when Gussie leaned over her shoulder.
"Well, you did make a show of yourself, you great tomboy! It is a pity that
you can't keep your bad manners out of sight, before strangers, anyway!"
This taunt acted like the prick of a goad, and made Dexie determine to stay
and show Miss Gussie whether her "bad manners" had placed her lower or
higher in the estimation of her friends. When the piece was rehearsed in
which she sang the solo, she put forth her best efforts, and rendered it
with such pathos and feeling that when it was ended, one and all, with the
exception of Gussie, were loud in its praise.
As she lingered a moment beside the piano talking with a member, Mr. Ross
stepped over to her side and begged her to try the new piece, and she
silently bowed in answer; but the hunted look in the dark eyes might have
told how hard it was to nerve herself for this ordeal.
The memory of Gussie's sneering remarks filled her with the needed courage,
and when Lancy sat down and passed his fingers over the keys her heart
ceased to throb; the very chords had a soothing power, and when Lancy
lifted his eyes to her face she replied with a look that she was ready.
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