Madame Velma failed at the last minute.

Aunt 'Gina, in a great state of mind, was borrowing remarks from her macaw.
You know how?
She always says she is merely quoting `the dear bird.' Something had to be done.

I offered to take Velma's place; and I sang." "Ah," said the doctor.
"I sang The Rosary--the song Flower asked for the last time I was here.
Do you remember ?" The doctor nodded.

"I remember." "After that, all was changed between Garth and me.

I did not understand it at first.