First came a bar that sounded like Auld Lang Syne, then a note or two of Days of Absence, then a turn of a Methodist hymn, at last he went decidedly into "Nelly was a lady." The tune of this William had learned from Alice singing it to the piano.

He begged her to teach him the words.

She did so, telling him of the chorus part, in which many were to unite.

Bacchus prepared an accompaniment; a number of them sang it together.

William sang the solos.
He had a remarkably good voice and fine taste; he therefore did justice to the sweet song.