WHEN PHYLLIS SANG

New Zealand Tablet, 20 August 1908, Page 37

WHEN PHYLLIS SANG

' She's so timid !' « ' I like a girl to have some spirit.' Comments came thick and fast from the group of schoolgirls who stood under the elm tree on the corner watching the new girl pass quickly down the street. ' I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a good deal of spirit lies beneath Phyllis Corrigan's rcliring manner, ' chimed in a clear, firm voice. ' You always do find something to like in everyone,v Katie,' spoke up another girl. ' We'll all find something to like in Phyllis when we know her better, Janet,' Katie replied. ' There's one thing she can do. She can sing. Miss Sarah has asked Phyllis to sing at the musical.' ' Hearing is believing ; it doesn't soem possible that MisShyness can ever summon up enough courage to sing alone bcfoie the school,' Janet declared. 'Are you coming, girls?' Meanwhile, Phyllis, going on her way alone, was having a hard battle to keep back tears. ' They don't like me. They don't mean to count me in. I might be a strange animal, the way they look at me and hold themselves aloof,' she was saying to herself. 'Phyllis! Wait a minute, please.' Katie came hurrying after her, smiling and breathless. ' How fast you walk ! I don't wonder you always have a beautiful color in your cheeks, taking such strenuous exercise. I wanted to tell you how glad I am you are going to sing at our musical.' 'You don't know how glad lam to sing. I love to sing.' And now all trace of bitterness had left Phyllis's voice, and her eyes reflected the smile lighting Katie's face. • ' Could you — we are near my horne — do you mind coming in ? Mamma would love to meet one of my schoolmates, and I'll show you the song I've thought of singing.' Katie accompanied Phyllis indoors. Later, upon leaving, she was more convinced than ever that Phyllis's retiring manner .covered a character of much strength and firmness. One thing that led Katie to believe this was Phyllis's answer, when' asked if she did not feel diffident at singing in public. • Yes, always,' Phyllis said quickly. ' But I do not like, to refuse an invitation to sing if I think the invitation sincere/ My teacher has told me that if -I persistently ignore my dislYke to use my voice my nervousness will in time doubtless disappear. And I feel she is right, for as soon as I have sung the first few notes I lose all distrust of myself and have no fear.' ' ' t The academy was all activity and excitement on a certain afternoon when the older pupils were to give a musical for the- ■ benefit of the fresh air fund. The assembly hall on the second floor, decorated with flowers and palms and draped with flags was filled to its utmost capacity when Miss Sarah Grant opened the programme with a piano solo. After this, one performs ' followed another, and was applauded and encored. Finally if came -tp Phyllis's turn. • Phyllis appeared on the platform, a slight, girlish figure, her eyes, dark and shining, scanning the audience half-fearfully. Tul « S / th rr ° W ' r^ UP nt her '" ans the accompanist struck the first notes of the song. At first, .Phyllis's voice

wavered uncertainty, then rallied, and soon filled the room with r its sweetness-. A Jaurst of applause greeted the singer, and then ! a smell of smoke permeated the room, and many in the audience I- arose and looked anxiously around. ' The children- occupying the front rows of chairs felt the uneasiness in the air, and some of them stood up. At this-moment a puff of smoke came "up from '•- a. register in' one corner of the roomj and instantly a- terrified voice screamed : , 'Fire! Fire!' „ ' - Simultaneously, Miss Grant appeared on the platform, an- : l. calling for order, declared there was no fire. Another puff of smok'evseemed to give the lie 'to her statement, and there was a mad rush for the door. A panic -was imminent -when .suddenly there rang out above the uproar a clear, full voice singing : ' Rally round the flag, boys, rally once again ' The audience turned, and seeing Phyllis standing on th« platform smiling and singing as if there was rothing to b« frightened about, was somewhat reassured; - and,, the struggling at the door ceased. . - ' Join the chorus,' Phyllis waved an -invitation. Without a tremor the sweet, >m voice went on, and the spirit of the singer made itself so "felt that many voices actually did join in the chorus. When it was over, Miss Grant explained that the janitor had been burning rubbish in the furnace, adding : ' At no time was there real danger save that, of "a panic on the stairway ; and this Phyllis, by her prompt action, averted,' and she smiled appreciatively upon Phyllis. Then she added earnestly : ' Had you not accustomed yourself to singing in public you could hardly have done what you did, dear. It always; pays to study the ait of self-control.'