“Just a moment, Miss Royanna,” and the manager motioned her not to rise.  “There are two little boys outside, who are very anxious to see you.”

“Boys! to see me?”

“Yes.  They came from the country, and will not leave, so they say, until they see you.”

“What do they want?”

“I do not know.  But I am acquainted with one of the little chaps, as I met him this summer.  I have a good story to tell you when you get rested.  Shall I bring them in?  They will not keep you long.”

“Yes, let them come,” was the reply.  “I love boys; there is no pretence about them.”

Rod’s heart beat fast as he followed Mr. Markham into the presence of the great singer.  What should he say? he asked himself.  Would the woman be willing to go?  Phil crept close at his heels, of no more use than a kitten.

As Rod approached, Miss Royanna held out her hand.

“So you want to see me?” she began.  “I am not very often favoured with a visit from boys.”

Rod felt more at home now.  These words had put him at ease.  He looked keenly into the woman’s eyes, and what he saw there gave him great encouragement.  In truth, Miss Royanna was much impressed with his manly bearing.  He stood so erect, with his blue eyes looking straight into hers.  For an instant there flashed into her mind the idea that she had seen those eyes before.  Some chord of memory was stirred, which affected her in a remarkable manner.  She tried to recall something, but in vain.

“You wish to speak to me, so I understand,” she encouraged, noting Rod’s embarrassment.

“Yes, please, if I may.  But I’m afraid now that you won’t do it.”

“Do what?”

“Come to our concert.”

“Your concert!  Where is it to be held?”

“At Captain Josh’s, and Whyn would like to hear you sing so much.  You see, the scouts are getting up a concert to raise money, and we want some one to sing.  Whyn is sick, and can’t walk.  She heard about you from her brother, Douglas.  She couldn’t come herself to hear you, so we have come to ask you to help us out, and sing for Whyn.  It would be a great surprise for Whyn, as she knows nothing about what we are doing.  We will give you half what we make at the concert.”

John Markham turned suddenly around, so that the boys could not see the amusement upon his face.  He wanted to laugh outright, so funny did it all seem.  He longed to rush out and tell some of his friends the whole story.  The thought of the famous woman being asked to go to sing in an out-of-the-way country place, and to receive half the proceeds, tickled him immensely.

Miss Royanna was also amused, and her eyes twinkled as Rod blurted out his request.  And yet there was something about his straightforward manner which appealed to her.  She thought, too, of the sick girl, and the spirit of true chivalry which had caused these two boys to come all the way to the city for her sake.  How disappointed they would be when she told them how utterly impossible it would be for her to go.