`` A great deal , and very charmingly , '' added Maud , who took pride in her friend 's gifts both of voice and beauty . `` Come , dear , there are so few of us you will sing , I know . Mamma desired me to ask you when Edith had done . '' To her surprise Lillian complied , and allowed Talbot to lead her to the instrument . Still hoping to win some sign of recognition from him , the girl chose an air he taught her and sang it with a spirit and skill that surprised the listeners who possessed no key to her mood . At the last verse her voice suddenly faltered , but Talbot took up the song and carried her safely through it with his well-tuned voice . `` You know the air then ? '' she said in a low tone , as a hum of commendation followed the music . `` All Italians sing it , though few do it like yourself , '' he answered quietly , restoring the fan he had held while standing beside her . Provoking boy ! why wo n't he know me ? thought Lillian . And her tone was almost petulant as she refused to sing again . Talbot offered his arm and led her to a seat , behind which stood a little statuette of a child holding a fawn by a daisy chain . `` Pretty , is n't it ? '' she said , as he paused to look at it instead of taking the chair before her . `` I used to enjoy modeling tiny deer and hinds in wax , as well as making daisy chains . Is sculpture among the many accomplishments which rumor tells us you possess ? '' `` No . Those who , like me , have their own fortunes to mold find time for little else , '' he answered gravely , still examining the marble group .
XXXXX broke her fan with an angry flirt , for she was tired of her trial , and wished she had openly greeted him at the beginning ; feeling now how pleasant it would have been to sit chatting of old times , while her friends dared hardly address him at all .
Edith Italians Lillian Maud Talbot chair deal fawn hinds statuette