Gentle nothings with a down of rainbows were talked until tea was over, and then without a word they set to their music--Mary and Joseph, with their own hearts and Letty for their audience.
They had not gone far on the way to fairyland, however, when Beenie called Letty from the room, to speak to a friend and customer, who had come from the country on a sudden necessity for something from the shop.

Letty, finding herself not quite equal to the emergency, came in her turn to call Mary: she went as quietly as if she were leaving a tiresome visitor.

The music was broken, and Joseph left alone with the dumb instruments.
But in his hands solitude and a violin were sure to marry in music.

He began to play, forgot himself utterly, and, when the customer had gone away satisfied, and the ladies returned to the parlor, there he stood with his eyes closed, playing on, nor knowing they were beside him.
They sat down, and listened in silence.
Mary had not listened long before she found herself strangely moved.
Her heart seemed to swell up into her throat, and it was all she could do to keep from weeping.

A little longer and she was compelled to yield, and the silent tears flowed freely.