The tone was an emphatic3 one, and the speaker pounded sharply on the floor with his walking stick.
He was a small boy, whose flaxen hair hung straight and thick on either side of his face. He was panting with excitement, his eyes were sparkling, his lips were set.
Before him, on the floor, sat six boys and girls in a semi-circle, attending earnestly to his commands. One boy possessed4 a toy horn; two others, mouth organs; a fourth, a chubby5 girl, had dropped a tin fife in sheer fright; and the fifth and sixth clung to drum and dinner-bell respectively.
[Pg 93]
"This time," went on the conductor sternly, "I want you to begin when I bring my cane down. Now watch! One, two, three, four,—one!"
As the big baton6 descended7 with the leader's vehement8 "one," a deafening9 uproar10 burst from the obedient orchestra.
"Keep on, keep on! You're going it now! Slower, Frieda! One, two, three, four!"
The director swung his cane vigorously, shouting his orders above the strains of the lusty symphony. A few measures were bravely rendered, when the conductor suddenly threw down his stick with a look of extreme exasperation11.
"Peter," he said quietly, in the tone of a teacher sorely tried but patient, "please don't jingle12 the bell. Take the clapper in your hand, and tap it when I say 'one' and 'three.' Like this!" and seizing the bell, he illustrated13 his meaning, compelling the fat offender14 to perform the feat15 to his satisfaction [Pg 94]before going on with the rehearsal16. When the bell-ringer had been sufficiently17 drilled, the director once again took up his baton and ordered a fresh beginning.
They were playing in good earnest, for this imperious conductor desired something far above the discordant18 blasts that are usually obtained from musical toys. Weeks before he had assigned to each playmate a certain instrument, teaching him in private to draw real melody from it; and to-day he had assembled the six performers in his bedroom, introducing them to the delight of joining together in a familiar musical theme.
To be sure, the toys were shrill19 and piping, the players often faulty and careless, but after an hour's persistent20 and perspiring21 labor22 on the part of all concerned, the Duke's Military March rang through the house in creditable time and tune23.
While the music continued with true martial24 spirit, the door opened softly,[Pg 95] and a plump, fair girl of sixteen peeped into the room. Perceiving the occupation of the children, she smiled brightly and slipped away. A moment later another form appeared upon the threshold, that of an elderly, dignified25 man. His hair was white, his eyes were protected by huge gold spectacles, his shoulders were slightly bent26; but a close observer would have readily detected a resemblance between the handsome old gentleman and the leader of the orchestra. One bore the markings of age, the other the dimples of childhood; but they plainly displayed a kindred will, energy, and intelligence, although one was seventy and the other but seven.
Mr. H?ndel was the town surgeon of Halle, appointed by the Duke of S?chse, and the flaxen-haired boy was the idolized child of his declining years.
At first sight of the juvenile28 orchestra the visitor smiled as indulgently as had the girl before him, entering the [Pg 96]chamber29 unobserved, and seating himself in a distant corner where he could watch the highly interesting performance. But he turned quickly grave when his eye fell upon the small director, who was bending anxiously forward, his whole being absorbed in the sounds that issued from the toys at signal of his cane. The flush that burned the leader's cheek, the intensity30 of his glance, and the strained alertness of his lithe31 young body, seemed a forbidding vision to the old gentleman, for his face clouded and he shook his head in increasing disapproval32.
Presently the concert ended, the children scrambled33 noisily to their feet, and the conductor leaned upon his cane, regarding them with the serene34 composure of a man who has wrought35 successfully and is modestly proud of the fact.
"We must go home, Georg," said Peter, exchanging his bell for his cap.
"I'm going to run, 'cause I'm so dretful hungry," announced Frieda, [Pg 97]disappearing in quest of curds37 and seed cakes.
"You may all go now," consented the director affably, "but," raising a commanding finger, "we will practise again at seven o'clock to-morrow morning, and whoever is one minute late won't be invited to my party in the afternoon."
"Oh, Georg," wailed38 Frieda, recalled from the corridor by this edict, "must I come at seven, whether I've had any breakfast or not?"
The leader bowed.
"Whether you have had any breakfast or not," he rejoined firmly.
The children trooped down the stairs, leaving their chief to gather up the toys and place them carefully upon the table.
He was about to leave the room when, for the first time, he discovered that he was not alone.
"Father!" he exclaimed, bounding gladly to the old man's side, and laying one hand affectionately upon his shoulder.[Pg 98] "Did you hear us play? Didn't we do well? If only we had a fiddle39 we could make much better music. Oh, father, it is such fun—why—what's the matter, father? I sharpened your pens and aired your dressing-gown."
The boy's hilarious40 comments ceased as he became aware of his father's darkened expression, and he hastened to allay42 the doubts that he supposed to be the cause of this unlooked-for displeasure.
"I know, Georg, that you sharpened the pens, and I believe you when you tell me that you aired the dressing-gown, but I shall give you a new duty to-day. See that you perform it promptly43!"
Georg listened in wonder, for never before had his father addressed him with such hardness of manner, and instinctively44 the boy drew a pace backward.
"A new—duty?" he stammered45.
"I want you to take those musical toys and throw them into the pond, or give them to some one who never comes into this house."
[Pg 99]
Georg was dumfounded.
"Throw them away—my trumpet, my fife, my—"
Breathless with consternation46 the boy rushed to the table and gathered his treasures protectingly in his arms.
"These—I must—keep," he asserted chokingly, eying his father from the breastworks of drum and bell.
For answer Mr. H?ndel pointed27 to the door, and Georg, reading naught47 but doom48 in that significant gesture, dropped his toys with a crash and clasped his father's arm beseechingly49.
"Father, don't make me throw them in the pond! Tell me why it is wrong for me to have them; please, father, tell me!"
The old gentleman's face expressed both resolution and kindness.
"Listen, Georg. When I gave you those toys at Christmas time, I expected you to amuse yourself with them as other children do, in turn with balls, kites, and sleds. But this you have[Pg 100] failed to do, and every play-hour since that time you have given to these musical toys. Now, Georg, I mean to give you a thorough education, so that when you are a man you may become a jurist, capable of following a respectable career and earning a snug50 fortune. Ever since you were born I have planned and saved for this purpose, and I cannot have my arrangements upset by these silly mouth organs. Tut, tut!" as the boy endeavored to speak, "no words, my son, over this matter! If I allow you to keep these things and play with them, day in and day out, as you have been doing, you will grow into a musician, and then where will my jurist be? No, no, it is not to be thought of. When I came in to-day, you were so deep in the Duke's March that you did not know that I was near. No, boy, you cannot have them any longer. I would have taken them away before, had I realized that you were so set upon them."
[Pg 101]
"Please, father—" whispered Georg, quaking, but persistent.
"You must either throw them away or give them away to-day. You shall have an hour to decide which you wish to do, and at the end of it, I shall expect the matter to be settled for all time. Also, Georg, I wish you to see no more of four of those children who were here to-day. Frieda and Peter seemed dull enough, but the others were too musical by far to be fit companions for you. You may tell them that I forbid them the house from to-day."
At this stroke of fate, Georg threw himself at full length on the floor, sobbing51 tempestuously52. His father departed without further parley53, and the boy was left alone to battle with his disappointment.
As the hour drew to a close, he mastered his emotion as well as he was able, washed from his face the traces of weeping, and hurried out to call a meeting of his orchestra by the pond-side.
[Pg 102]
He would not confess to his mates that he was grieved with the message he had for them, but delivered it with an air of mannish bravado54.
"I shan't have an orchestra any more, and I have brought you all of my instruments. I'll give you each the one you've been using, so you can play hereafter. You needn't come to-morrow to rehearse, for I can't lead any longer."
"No orchestra! You won't lead!" chorused the musicians blankly, as they received the cherished toys into their hands.
"Never again," affirmed Georg loftily, but he must needs set his teeth hard upon his lower lip, lest its trembling should betray his stinging regret.
"You see," he explained with the easy patronage55 of a captain who has led his troops to victory, but who is about to be promoted out of their midst, "it is not as though I were to be a musician when I grow up. It is all well enough for you[Pg 103] fellows to play on these things every day, but I really ought not to waste my time with them, for," importantly, "when I am a man, I am going to be a jurist."
"A what?" demanded his hearers in one breath, much impressed by the high-sounding title.
"A jurist," Georg repeated, folding his arms, much gratified at the effect his announcement had produced.
"What does a—a jurist do?" inquired Frieda, feminine curiosity conquering her awe56.
"Oh," replied Georg easily, "a jurist, Frieda, writes down in a book everything that people ought to do, and when they don't do just as he has written, he cuts off their heads."
"Ach!"
"Their heads?"
"You will learn to cut them off?"
Georg bowed.
"Now you understand why I must give up the orchestra. If you decide to[Pg 104] keep on without me, perhaps, sometime—"
He was turning away with a kingly wave of the hand, his last sentence unfinished, when a question from Peter recalled him to the second and most distressing57 part of his mission.
"You'll have your party to-morrow afternoon? We needn't play on things, you know."
The blood mounted to Georg's forehead, and his fingers twitched58 uncomfortably; but he managed to speak so boldly that his listeners were quite unaware60 of his struggle.
"I am glad you mentioned the party, Peter, for I had nearly forgotten it. No, I won't have any party, and I must tell you—at least, father says—that—that Hans and Otto and Gretchen and Leopold must not come to my house any more. Of course," he added hastily, seeking to drown the gasps62 of his troopers, "it isn't that you're not good enough and nice enough for me to play[Pg 105] with, but father says that you four are very musical, and you might make me musical too; but Frieda and Peter can come, for they are dull."
"I hate your old tunes63 and notes, anyway," protested Peter, much injured; but Frieda cut him short with the excited proposal,—
"Let's have your party for Peter and me and you, to-morrow!"
"Have your party! Have your party!" sneered64 Otto; and Hans informed Georg in biting tones that he wouldn't forget this when his birthday came next month.
Here Georg visibly weakened, for he remembered that Hans was expecting either a violin or a flute65 upon that occasion, and he nearly lost his studied indifference66 with the recollection. He was obliged to face about, to hide the sudden teardrops that glistened67 on his cheeks; and, marching proudly toward his father's pasture, with head high in air, and back steadily68 kept[Pg 106] toward his forsaken69 band, he called out,—
"I'm not mad at you, but you can be mad at me if you like. I won't have a party to-morrow for Frieda and Peter, 'cause I like Hans and Otto better than I do them, 'cause they know how to keep time when I beat."
He had reached the pasture with the last word of parting, and flinging himself over the bars, he fled across the green as though twenty scouts70 of the enemy were close upon his heels. The mask that he had worn to conceal71 his heartburning had fallen, and he was crying bitterly as he ran.
Old Kappelstahr, Georg's special pet since the days when she was a sportive calf72, stood mildly chewing her cud near the inner fence. As her master dashed among the kine in evident agitation73, the heifer turned to look after him, apparently74 surprised that he had passed her by without a word of greeting.
Georg, glancing backward, happened[Pg 107] to catch that look of gentle interest. He halted irresolutely75, then, rushing to her side and throwing his arms about her neck, the dejected jurist sobbed76 out his woe77 upon her warm brown shoulder.
During the succeeding days and weeks, Georg felt as lonely as a shipwrecked mariner78 cast upon a deserted79 island of the sea. Instinctively, when lessons were done, he reached out for amusement to the musical toys that were his no longer. Sometimes he heard sounds arising from the pond-side, where his forbidden orchestra rehearsed under Otto's direction. That he might neither make music nor mingle80 with those who did, filled him with blank dismay; and hour by hour he wandered about the house and garden, unable to attach himself to other interests or games. His father required him to make an industrious81 use of his school hours, even adding to the regular course certain studies that he deemed useful to one preparing for a serious profession.
[Pg 108]
The old gentleman was sorry indeed when he saw how the absence of the musical toys and companions affected82 Georg, and he even sought to modify the discipline by presenting to the boy a complete set of carpenter's tools.
Georg thanked him for the gift, but what was the old gentleman's surprise, a week later, upon seeing the chest in his son's room, still unopened, with every tool in place, and across the wooden lid a series of black and white keys painted, in imitation of a harpsichord83.
Mr. H?ndel frowned, but made no reference to the matter before Georg.
Mrs. H?ndel believed that her husband was right at all times, and would not have reversed his decision regarding the musical affair, if she could; but her sister Anna, the plump fair girl who had peeped in upon the last rehearsal of the orchestra in Georg's room, sympathized warmly with the boy, and sought to console him in every way possible.
Anna was barely sixteen, herself[Pg 109] scarcely more than a child, blue-eyed, yellow-haired, and a member of the H?ndel household. Her sweet temper and merry heart had long before won Georg's devotion, and in his present trial no one was admitted to his confidence but this youthful aunt.
Never a word of disrespect or rebellion did Anna utter against Mr. H?ndel, for she believed implicitly84 in a child's obedience85 to his parents; but, being of a musical temperament86 herself, she entered into the boy's trouble as though she, too, were under the ban. In a certain sense she was, there being no musical instrument in the house, and often she felt stirred by the same impulse that wrought so constantly upon her nephew.
"Never mind, Georg," she would say, "let Hans and Frieda have the mouth organ and the drum. Just you attend to your school, and when your father sees that you mean to study hard and carry out his wishes, he will give them back to you."
[Pg 110]
But weeks dragged wearily by, and, despite Georg's diligence at school, Mr. H?ndel did not relent. Frieda and Peter came occasionally, but they had never been Georg's chosen comrades, and he joined their games mechanically, plainly relieved when they took their departure. He longed unceasingly for Otto, who was clever with the trumpet, and for Hans, who was now the possessor of a violin.
He became restless and dissatisfied, and his mother despaired of a child who went about with such a sober face.
He never gave voice to the discontent that surged in his breast, for parental87 authority was strict in the H?ndel household, and he would have been sharply punished for outspoken88 protest. But he did not recover from his disappointment, as his father had so reasonably expected; a slight paleness crept over his plump cheeks, his lively spirit was tinged89 with melancholy90, and from his compressed lips was seldom heard his former ringing laugh.
[Pg 111]
Every one in the house noticed the change, but all except Anna thought the mood would presently pass away if properly ignored, and no mention was made in his hearing of the subject that lay nearest his heart. The girl, however, realized that Georg was seriously unhappy, and right heartily91 did she try to divert him from his consuming desire.
One November afternoon, as Georg sat studying before the sitting-room92 fire with his mother, who had fallen asleep over her knitting, his attention was attracted by a pebble93 being thrown against the window. Raising his eyes, he beheld94 his aunt beckoning95 to him from the garden. Down went the book and out went the boy.
"What is it, Aunt Anna?"
For answer, the girl caught him about the neck and whirled him madly up and down the gravelled path.
"It's a secret, Georg, the best and biggest secret in the whole world. Nobody is to know it but you and me, and[Pg 112] it is so lovely that I can't keep from spinning like a top!"
"Wait! Stop! Let loose!" and the boy broke from her clasp, half-strangled by the joyful96 energy of her arm. "What is the secret? Hurry and tell!"
The girl stood smiling and speechless, unable to find words to frame her tidings. Then glancing about to assure herself that no one was near, she bent quickly and whispered,—
"You remember, Georg, that poor Granny Wegler died last week. Well, her daughter, Mrs. Friesland, who came from Munich to take care of her, called here to-day to tell me—what do you suppose?"
"I don't know."
"She said that she had found a note written by Granny, saying that when she died, she wanted to leave her clavichord97 to me. Just think of it, Georg, I am to have that dear, beautiful little clavichord that stood in Granny's parlor,[Pg 113] and you and I can play on it whenever we please!"
Georg's face went from red to white and back to red again with this stupendous news. Afraid that a shout would serve to recall him to house and book, he sought to express his delight by rolling over and over in the crackling brown grass and pulling up the dead blades by handfuls.
Suddenly, however, he ceased his tumbling about, and sat up, his hair filled with bits of leaves and grass.
"Ought I to play on it, Aunt Anna? Will father care?"
Georg's voice shook with apprehension98, but the girl hastened to reassure99 him.
"When your father made you give away the toys, he never said a word about clavichords100. It can't be wrong to play on it when you never have been forbidden."
Anna's idea of obedience was very strict, and in the present case she was[Pg 114] wholly sincere, never doubting for an instant that they were about to proceed in the straight path of duty.
"Oh, no," murmured the boy, much relieved, "he didn't mention clavichords, I'm sure."
"Now this is to be a secret of yours and mine, and while the others are gone to the Kirmess to-morrow, I shall have the darling brought over and carried up to the garret."
"Ho, ho! Hurrah101 for our secret! Hurrah! hurrah!"
When, next day, Georg saw the clavichord borne to the shadowy chamber under the eaves and set up in all its thrilling reality against the warm brick chimney, he pressed both hands over his mouth in the fear that his cries of exultation102 might reach his father's ears in town.
When the carriers were gone, he approached the instrument timidly, and only after Anna had played several tunes, could he be induced to touch its[Pg 115] yellowed keys. But when he had once overcome the awe that filled him at sight of his heart's desire, he clung to it as a thing of life, passing every hour thereafter that he could snatch from his school studies, in the company of this glorious toy. In the beginning, Anna taught him the few rudiments103 of musical art that lay within her ken41, but before many weeks had passed, the pupil turned teacher, so far outstripping104 his aunt that he was able to give her many helpful suggestions.
That Georg speedily recovered his vaulting105 spirits, every one remarked; but none guessed the reason. The good surgeon supposed that the boy's regret for his lost playthings and companions was forgotten, and he smiled to see his son as noisy and mischief106-loving as before the September episode.
The conspirators107 were for a time in terror of discovery, but the tones of the clavichord were so thin and muffled108 that their tinkling109 would never disturb a[Pg 116] drowsy110 garret mouse, much less penetrate111 the oaken floors to the chambers112 under foot. No one but Georg's mother ever visited the attic113 region, and during this important season, she chanced to be afflicted114 with acute rheumatic pain that prevented her climbing the steep stair leading to the treasure-house.
The winter was a long one and cold, but Anna and Georg, in their high retreat, were as happy and comfortable as meadow-larks. Trunks, chests, old clothing, and discarded furniture abounded115 there; bunches of dried herbs were strung to the cross-beams, and cobwebs draped the outlying nooks; but the great chimney emitted a cosy116 warmth, and the clavichord provided unceasing entertainment.
The clavichord provided unceasing entertainment
"The clavichord provided unceasing entertainment."
As time went by, Anna's interest waned117 considerably118, owing to the succeeding preparations of Christmas gifts, March birthday festivities, and spring finery; but when months had rolled away and summer suns were once more[Pg 117] ripening119 the fruit and coloring the flowers, Georg was as intently absorbed in the clavichord as on the day of its first appearance.
One June morning he was starting for a day's visit with some cousins who lived on the most fashionable street in Halle. He was attired120 for the occasion in his best suit of shining black satin. A deep collar of Mechlin lace, a pair of gleaming silver shoe-buckles, and a silver cord wound around his broad black beaver121 filled him with satisfaction as he emerged from the house door.
At this juncture122 Mr. H?ndel drove into the gravelled plaza123 lying between stable and street, and Georg observed with surprise that the carriage was festooned with yellow streamers, that Mummer, the staid mare124, was groomed125 until she shone, and tricked out in the yellow harness and tassels126 reserved for state occasions.
"Where are you going, father?" called Georg.
[Pg 118]
"To Weisenfels. The duke sent for me this morning. He wishes a report of the state of health in Halle."
"Oh, father, please take me with you! I've never seen the court, and I want to go so much!"
"Not this time, Georg. I have business to attend to, and I cannot look after you."
"You needn't look after me," insisted the lad, laying his hand upon the door of the slowly moving vehicle. "I'll be good and do everything you say, and Christian127 will take care of me. Please, father, take me!"
"No, no! Some other time I'll take you, but this time I shall be too busy. Get up, Mummer!"
With the touch of the whip, the ancient mare broke into a gentle dogtrot, the only gait more swift than a walk in which she ever indulged.
Georg saw the carriage roll through the gates and take the road toward Weisenfels.
[Pg 119]
To go to the duke's court was something that he had long desired, and this seemed a wholly favorable time for the undertaking128. Had his father's denial been decisive, Georg would have accepted it with the best grace he could muster129, and gone on about his visit; but he had seen that the surgeon was merely preoccupied130, refusing the petition absently in order that his reflections should not be disturbed, rather than that he cared to forbid the journey.
"If he only knew how much I wanted to go, he would have said 'yes,'" thought Georg. "Father nearly always lets me do things when I ask him. He really didn't hear what I said,—didn't hear inside him, I mean,—or he would have taken me. I'll go! I'll go anyway, and when I get there father will be sure to let me stay."
Fired with this determination, Georg set off, running nimbly behind the carriage, taking pains all the while to keep out of the surgeon's sight.
[Pg 120]
Although Mummer was not very fleet as horses go, she jogged steadily along, and the boy, following close behind the carriage, began to wonder why she never stopped to catch her breath and cool herself. Up and down hill, over bridges, through strips of forest, went horse, carriage, and boy; and, as the sun blazed down, and the road grew dusty to choking, the last one of the procession became so hot and breathless that he feared he must stop or die.
At twelve o'clock the carriage drew up before a roadside inn; and when the hostler came to take charge of Mummer, Mr. H?ndel opened the door and stepped out upon the flower-bordered driveway.
The flash of a silver hat-cord seemed to twinkle before his eyes, and seized with a sharp suspicion, the old gentleman strode quickly round to the back of the carriage only to see a pair of small black legs disappearing under the vehicle.
[Pg 121]
"Georg!" he ejaculated. "Come out, instantly! What are you doing here?"
A dusty, sheepish boy crawled slowly into sight, murmuring confusedly as he rose,—
"I knew you'd let me go if you thought about it, so I came—"
Dizzy from heat and fatigue131, Georg clutched the wheel to keep himself from falling; and the surgeon took him anxiously by the shoulder.
"You foolish boy! What possessed you to undertake such a tramp! I didn't care particularly if you came. Here, let's go into the inn and get dinner! You will feel better when you have had warm food and time to rest. I'll send a messenger back to your mother, so she will know that you have come with me. You foolish child!"
The evening was spent in the ducal palace, whither the surgeon had been summoned with his professional report; and the novel sights and sounds proved so exciting to Georg that long after he[Pg 122] was tucked into his cot he lay wide awake, thinking of all that he had enjoyed. When sleep did finally overtake him, he dreamed of the gayly uniformed guards stationed inside and outside the palace, of the massive corridors, rich with works of art, and the vast assembly room where the duke had held an audience, while he himself had looked down from an upper gallery upon the throngs133 of men and women, the flowers, the banners, and listened to the music wafted134 from the musicians' balcony opposite.
Christian H?ndel, a nephew of Georg's, although more than twice the boy's age, was a member of the duke's train, and he had piloted the small visitor about the place, pointing out to him the things that would prove of especial interest. He had likewise introduced his young relative to the musicians, and they, attracted by the boy's straightforward135 manner and intelligent replies, cordially received him among them.
Morning came before Georg realized[Pg 123] that he had been asleep, and with it, Christian, who shook him awake.
"Dress yourself quickly, Georg, for the duke goes to church this morning, and when he attends, nobody else in the house is permitted to stay away."
Christian conducted Georg to the organ-loft, that he might better see the sumptuous136 chapel137 and the duke with his richly apparelled retinue138 passing in for service.
The white-haired organist, whom Georg had met the night before, greeted him pleasantly; and Christian left him in care of the aged59 musician, while he hurried down to take his place among the crimson-clad retainers.
When, an hour later, the duke sat in his apartment at breakfast, the sound of the organ fell upon his ear. Himself a passionate139 lover of music, he could readily distinguish the touch of the various players at court; but this soft and unfamiliar140 strain caused him to bend forward with a puzzled look. Gradually[Pg 124] the music grew more distinct, and soon the palace resounded141 with a strong and stately melody.
"Who is at the organ?" the duke demanded suddenly, glancing inquiringly at one of his attendants.
"It is the little H?ndel from Halle, your grace," replied Christian.
"A relative of yours?"
The young man blushed, for he was unwilling142 to confess to an eight-year-old uncle; but he told the truth and satisfied his pride by explaining distinctly,—
"He is my grandfather's youngest son."
"Bring him hither, and his father also."
Christian disappeared, and presently Mr. H?ndel entered by one door, just before his son and grandson appeared on the threshold of the other.
The duke motioned the old gentleman to a distant corner, and beckoned143 the boy to approach.
Georg, bereft144 of Christian's support, and unaware of his father's presence, [Pg 125]became so frightened that his breath almost failed as he advanced, and he wondered wildly if the trembling of his knees could be detected by the company. He carried his black beaver on his arm, as he had seen the courtiers do, and when he came within a few feet of the ducal chair, he bowed with a curious little bob that set the whole room laughing.
"Silence!" commanded the duke sternly; then turning, he kindly145 asked his small auditor146 what his name might be.
"Georg Friedrich H?ndel," replied the boy tremulously, but with the sound of his own voice his terror dissolved, and he stood before the Duke of S?chse with respectful composure.
"When did you learn to play the organ, my manikin?"
"This morning, your grace."
"This morning!" echoed the duke, astounded147. "Can it be true that you have never tried the instrument before to-day?"
[Pg 126]
"Well, you see, we have no organ at home," returned Georg apologetically.
The duke studied him for a moment, as though seeking for traces of falsehood, but Georg's utter simplicity148 was strangely convincing.
Quietly the duke put his next question.
"Upon what instruments have you played before?"
"Last winter and this summer I have played every day on my aunt's clavichord, your grace."
Here a loud gasp61 was heard from a distant corner, but the duke frowned for silence.
"And what before the clavichord, my boy?"
"A mouth organ, a tin trumpet, a fife, a drum, and a dinner-bell, your grace."
A dozen irrepressible titters burst from the attendants, but the duke grew very grave.
"And that is all, lad?"
"All, your grace."
"No lessons?"
[Pg 127]
"No—except when Aunt Anna and I taught each other. But you mustn't tell father about the clavichord, your grace, because it is a secret, and father told me to give away my own instruments, and Aunt Anna wouldn't like to give away her clavichord, so please don't let him know about it."
"I am afraid that he knows already," said the duke, smiling; and at his signal, the Halle surgeon emerged from his corner, pale with amazement149.
Georg was so confounded at sight of his parent, that, unable to meet his expected look of condemnation150, he buried his face in the folds of the duke's breakfast cloth.
"I am sorry, Mr. H?ndel," said the duke, "that I betrayed the child's secret. Had I known there was anything confidential151 in the interview, I should have held it in private. But now that the mischief is done, will you tell me why you oppose the musical study that Georg desires?"
[Pg 128]
"Merely, your grace, because he neglects his school for music when I allow it. I am a music-lover myself, but I wish to educate my son for a jurist, and I cannot have the plan interfered152 with, even by music."
"Let me suggest, then, that you allow the music lessons and compel the school lessons, taking away the instrument if he fails at school; and when he is old enough and wise enough to be a jurist, he will be capable of choosing for himself the work of his life."
"I thank you, your grace! The advice is fair and judicious153, and I shall be happy to act upon it. If I have made a mistake, it was out of concern for the child's best good, your grace."
"An error on the safe side, Mr. H?ndel. A-ha, my small minstrel, do you hear how your father and I have arranged matters?"
Georg had not fully36 understood the conversation, but he gathered that the duke had somehow persuaded the [Pg 129]surgeon to allow his little son to play upon the clavichord as much as he wished, if he were faithful at school.
"Does the prospect154 please you?" asked the duke, his eyes twinkling.
"It does, it does!" cried Georg, his face radiant. "I am obliged to your grace, and I am sure that you are almost as good and fine a person as my Aunt Anna."
One night, in London, a concert was given at a certain music-hall, and the money earned from the sale of tickets was to be used to relieve the poor children of the city.
Such a throng132 of people crowded into the hall that every seat was promptly filled, and the door-keepers were obliged to turn away many who desired to attend.
King George II. appeared in the royal box, and when he had been respectfully saluted155 by the people, the hall grew still. The stage was filled with singers, and[Pg 130] soon the room resounded with the thrilling notes of a new piece called "The Messiah."
The people had expected to be only pleasantly entertained, but as one strain followed another, they bent forward entranced. Such harmonies they had never listened to before, and the people in the hall were moved to the point of tears. At length the sounds grew so impressive that the king could contain himself no longer, but leaped to his feet. Instantly the people, following the lead of their sovereign, rose impulsively156 in their places, and so standing157, they waited until the glorious chorus was ended.
Throughout the performance, a fine old gentleman sat quietly on the stage near the singers, listening intently. His face wore a look of noble earnestness, and he did not smile until the last note died away, and from every part of the house voices cried,—
"H?ndel! H?ndel!"
[Pg 131]
For a moment he did not respond to their calls, but as the hall fell into a tumult158, and the shout increased to a deafening roar, the white-haired gentleman rose and quietly bowed.
This did not satisfy the crowd, and from above, below, from right and from left, excited men and women demanded that he should play for them.
The old gentleman bowed again, but finding that the audience would not depart until he had yielded to its desire, he turned toward the massive organ at his right.
Before he had taken a step, one of the singers hurried to his side, laid a hand upon his arm, and conducted him slowly to the organ-bench. Then it was that any stranger would have learned what all London understood,—that the courtly old gentleman was blind.
At the first rich chord from the organ, a hush159 fell upon the room, and when the silvery-haired musician finished, and rose to his feet with another stately bow, the[Pg 132] people silently filed out, too stirred by the grandeur160 of his music for ordinary speech.
That night, in the city of London, hundreds of suffering and friendless children were gathered into places of refuge, and were fed, warmed, and clothed with the money earned by the genius and loving-kindness of Georg Friedrich H?ndel.
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收听单词发音
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1
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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2
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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3
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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4
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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5
chubby
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| adj.丰满的，圆胖的 | |
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6
baton
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| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
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7
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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8
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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9
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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10
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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11
exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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12
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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13
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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14
offender
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| n.冒犯者，违反者，犯罪者 | |
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15
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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16
rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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17
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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18
discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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19
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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20
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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21
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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22
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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23
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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24
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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25
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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26
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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27
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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28
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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29
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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30
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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31
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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32
disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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33
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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34
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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35
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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36
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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37
curds
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| n.凝乳( curd的名词复数 ) | |
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38
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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40
hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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41
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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42
allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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43
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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44
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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45
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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47
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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48
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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49
beseechingly
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| adv. 恳求地 | |
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50
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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51
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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52
tempestuously
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| adv.剧烈地，暴风雨似地 | |
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53
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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54
bravado
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| n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能 | |
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55
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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56
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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57
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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58
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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59
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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60
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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61
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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62
gasps
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| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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63
tunes
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| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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64
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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66
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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67
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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69
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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70
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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71
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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72
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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73
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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74
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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75
irresolutely
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| adv.优柔寡断地 | |
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76
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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77
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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78
mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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79
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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80
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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81
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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82
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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83
harpsichord
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| n.键琴（钢琴前身） | |
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84
implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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85
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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86
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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87
parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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88
outspoken
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| adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的 | |
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89
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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90
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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91
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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92
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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93
pebble
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| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
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94
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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95
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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96
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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97
clavichord
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| n.（敲弦）古钢琴 | |
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98
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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99
reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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100
clavichords
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| n.击弦古钢琴( clavichord的名词复数 ) | |
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101
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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102
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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103
rudiments
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| n.基础知识，入门 | |
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104
outstripping
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| v.做得比…更好，（在赛跑等中）超过( outstrip的现在分词 ) | |
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105
vaulting
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| n.（天花板或屋顶的）拱形结构 | |
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106
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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107
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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108
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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109
tinkling
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| n.丁当作响声 | |
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110
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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111
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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112
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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113
attic
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| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
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114
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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115
abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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117
waned
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| v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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118
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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119
ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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121
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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122
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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plaza
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| n.广场，市场 | |
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mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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125
groomed
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| v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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126
tassels
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| n.穗( tassel的名词复数 )；流苏状物；（植物的）穗；玉蜀黍的穗状雄花v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须( tassel的第三人称单数 )；使抽穗， （为了使作物茁壮生长）摘去穗状雄花；用流苏装饰 | |
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127
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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128
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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129
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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130
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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131
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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132
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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133
throngs
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| n.人群( throng的名词复数 )v.成群，挤满( throng的第三人称单数 ) | |
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134
wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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135
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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136
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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137
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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138
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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139
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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140
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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141
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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142
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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143
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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auditor
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| n.审计员，旁听着 | |
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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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148
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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149
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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150
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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151
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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157
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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158
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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159
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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