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"Why, certainly," said Drake, in the frank, pleasant fashion which Nell

kneell "Will you send me word? Thanks That is a fine violin you

have"

"It was

the instru, a

well-beloved child

He had often sold, pawned his belongings for bread, and as often had

forgotten his cold and hunger because his precious violin had remained

in his possession; that he had never pawned

Drake nodded, as if he understood; then he looked round

"Isn't there so, Mrs Hawksley?" he said pleasantly

The old lady curtsied in stately fashion

"Yes, h time Mr Falconer--and the rest of us--were at it," he

said; and, with a sallery

He would have taken Falconer with him to the supper in the banquet rooh none of the men or women there would

have remarked, or cared about, the old velvet jacket, the musician would

be conscious of it, and be embarrassed by it