Craig and gentlemen, you know that three years ago I was known as
"Old Ricketts," and that I owe all I am to-night, under God, to Mrs.
Mavor, and'--with a little quiver in his voice--'her baby. And we all
know that for two years she has not sung; and we all know why. And what
I say is, that if she does not feel like singing to-night, she is not
going to sing to keep any drunken brute of Slavin's crowd quiet.'
There were deep growls of approval all over the church. I could have
hugged Shaw then and there. Mr. Craig went to Mrs. Mavor, and after a
word with her came back and said--
'Mrs. Mavor, wishes me to thank her dear friend Mr. Shaw, but says she
would like to sing.'
The response was perfect stillness. Mr. Craig sat down to the organ
and played the opening bars of the touching melody, 'Oft in the Stilly
Night.' Mrs. Mavor came to the front, and, with a smile of exquisite
sweetness upon her sad face, and looking straight at us with her
glorious eyes, began to sing.
Her voice, a rich soprano, even and true, rose and fell, now soft, now
strong, but always filling the building, pouring around us floods of
music.
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