"It would afford me great pleasure," said the senator.
And forthwith Claire sang in a rollicking voice. The tune was the same as that which the gardener had been whistling. St. John recognized it in spite of the difference in the mediums and smiled. Then he smiled because of the words, and presently he laughed. It was the first real pleasure he had had in many a day.
"Everybody is wild about it," said Claire, when she had finished.
The senator was shaking with laughter.
"That's good," he said, "that's good."
"Papa," said Margaret, when Claire had gone, "who do you think wrote that song?"
"I don't know," said the senator. "But it's good."
"Aladdin wrote it," said Margaret.
"Upon my word!" said the senator.
Margaret knelt and threw her arms about her father's neck and blushed a lovely blush.
"Isn't it splendid?"
