He put the instrument out of his reach, tossing it on a
cushion a little distance away.
"Not so reluctant," he said, turning his face toward the lady, "as
unready. I have exhausted my trove of songs for this self-same
company,--wherefore they will not listen to reiteration, which is ever
insipid."
Senci wisely accepted his excuse, and pressed him no further. One or
two of the more observant members of the company looked at him, with
comprehension in their eyes. Seldom, indeed, had Kenkenes refused to
sing, and his reluctance corroborated their suspicions that all was not
well with the young artist.
The irrepressible Menes observed to Io in one of his characteristic
undertones, but so that all the company heard it: "What makes us surly
to-night? Look at Kenkenes; I think he is in love! What aileth thee,
sweet Io? Hast lost much to that gambling pair--Ta-meri and Nechutes?
And behold thy fellows! What a sulky lot! I am the most cheerful
spirit among us."
"Boast not," she responded; "it is not a virtue in you. You would be
blithe in Amenti, for one can not get mournful music out of a timbrel."
The soldier's eyes opened, and he caught at her, but she eluded him and
growled prettily under her breath.
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