“He has a very powerful voice for so small a boy,” remarked the dean. “He is training for a solo-boy, is he not?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Dr. Phillips, “and I think he will be one of the best I have ever had in the choir.”
The ladies were all very much pleased with his clear voice, and asked him many questions about his parents and his home.
“I shall want you both to sing at my ‘At Home’, and also at a concert we are arranging in connection with the missionary society,” said the dean’s daughter. “I hope you are both good boys at school.”
“We try to be so--at least, sometimes we do, ma’am,” said Walter.
“I think, Miss Rivers,” said Dr. Phillips, “they are very good boys, that is, _for boys_.”
“What did you say your father was?” an elderly lady asked Alfred.
“My husband is one of the directors of that line,” she remarked, after asking him on what ship his father was serving, “and I remember his mentioning a very clever piece of work your father did when some of the machinery went wrong. My husband was on board at the time, and during a terrible storm some part of the engine broke down. I do not know what part it was, as I do not understand engines, although I ought to, as my husband is so often talking about them. Your father, at the risk of his life, repaired the engine, and saved not only the ship, but the passengers also. Where is your father now?”
“He went a few weeks ago, ma’am, on another voyage,” replied Alfred. “This is his first voyage for more than six months, as he has been very ill. He got hurt, ma’am, in that storm, but he’s better now.”
“My husband also has been ill since; so much so, that he is only just able now to resume his duties. He is going to ask the other directors to reward your father for his bravery and skill. What does your mother do?”
“She has been teaching at a school while father was ill, as we had no money left, ma’am.”
“Can it be possible? How neglectful we have been! My husband always intended that your father should be rewarded, but while you have been so badly off, we have been thinking of ourselves only. I must write down your address, and my husband and I will call and see your mother this week. I hope your father is quite well now.”
“He isn’t quite well, ma’am, but he is better, and said he thought the voyage would do him good.”