The Second Violin
The Churchill Latch-string
Crash! Bang! Bang! "The March of the Pilgrims" came to an abruptend. John Lansing Birch laid down his viola and bow, whirled about, andflung out his arms in despair. "Oh, this crowd is hopeless!" he groaned."Never mind any other instrument, providing yours is heard. Thismarch is supposed to die away in the distance! You murder it in front ofthe house. That second violin--"
Here his wrath centered upon the red-cheeked, black-eyed youngplayer.
The second violin returned his gaze with resentment. "What's the use ofmy playing like a midsummer zephyr when Just's sawing away like mad on thebass?" she retorted.
The first violin smiled pleasantly on the little group. "Let's try itagain," she suggested, "and see if we can please John Lansing better."
"You're all right," said Lansing, with a wave of his hand at Celia, "ifthe rest of the strings wouldn't fight to drown you out. Charlotte plays asif second violin were a solo part, with the rest as accompaniment."
Charlotte tucked her instrument under a sulky, round chin, raised herbow and waited, her eyes on the floor. Celia, smiling, softly tried herstrings.
"That's it, precisely," began the leader, still with irritation. "Celiatunes between practice; Charlotte takes it for granted she's all right andfires