“Tell her,” said Randy, eagerly, “that I think nothing in all the world was ever half so sweet.”

Then another number by the orchestra held Randy’s attention and thus through the afternoon until she felt as if her pulses were throbbing with the rhythm of the music.  She marveled that between the numbers many of the vast audience talked and chatted merrily.  The lovely little girl across the aisle was fast asleep.  Why were they ready to talk after listening to such grand music, and how could anyone, even a child, sleep when there was yet another witching air to be sung, another composition for those wonderful musicians to execute!

Miss Dayton found it an interesting study to watch Randy’s face, and to see portrayed there the varying movements of each composition.

Just before the last selection was rendered, Helen penciled a hasty note upon her card, and giving it to an usher, bade him take it to the great singer and wait for a word in reply.  The man took the card and hastened to the room at the rear of the stage returning almost immediately with the card which bore upon the reverse side these words,

“A cordial welcome after the concert to Miss Helen Dayton and her friend.”

Leaning toward Helen, Randy read the invitation signed by the name of the singer, and she caught her breath as she realized that she was about to meet one who seemed to her so far above the realm of ordinary mortals.

When the audience began to leave the hall and Helen led the way to the dressing room, Randy walked beside her, sure that no girl was ever before so favored.  To hear the wonderful voice was rapture, to talk with the singer,—­Randy could hardly believe that in a few moments she should experience so great a pleasure.

When at last they reached the pretty room, they found the great vocalist chatting merrily with the lovely child who had sat opposite Randy and had slept through half of the afternoon.

“And so you became tired,” the lady was saying.

“Not when you were singing,” said the little girl, frankly, “but when the violins and flutes and all the other things had played and played, they made me sleepy, and I just lay back in my seat and shut my eyes a minute when mama said:—­

“‘Come Marguerite, it is time to go, if you wish to see Madam Valena.’ and that made me open my eyes wide, I did so wish to see you.”

Quite like a miniature lady she made the little courteous speech, but she was every inch a child as she clambered up into a chair where, upon tip-toe she offered her lips for a kiss.  Then away like a gay little butterfly she flew to join her friends.

Helen, taking Randy’s hand, led her across the room and presented her.

The singer and Miss Dayton’s mother had been firm friends, and Helen was always accorded a most cordial welcome.

The table was heaped with flowers, and Randy, seeing such a profusion of blossoms, wondered that she had thought for a moment of offering the lovely rose which she held in her hand, to one to whom a single blossom must seem of little value.