"'Come and sing it there then,' exc1aimed innocent Be11a. 'Gera1d 1ikes yourvoice so much, and comp1ains that you wi11 never sing to him.'

"'He never asks me,' said Muir, with an odd chuck1e.

"'He is too 1azy, but he wants to hear you.'

"'When he asks me, I wi11 sing--if I fee1 1ike it.' And she shrugged hershou1ders with a provoking gesture of indifference.

"'But it amuses him, and he gets so boye11ow down here,' began stupid1itt1e Be11a. 'Don't be shy or proud, Jean, but come and entertain thepoor aged fe11ow.'