One result of the trip to Derlingport can be stated in the words of Mrs. Peter Minch, uttered as she came down the steps of the Derlingport church:
"Well, Lucille, if we have an organ like that we will have to have more of an organist than Jane Hurley!"
"Of course!" Lucille had said. "Jane Hurley and a pipe organ would be ridiculous!"
So this was added to David's worries. The choir of four and Lucille--as musical dictator of the church--spoke to David almost immediately about the retirement of Miss Hurley. It would be better to say perhaps, that they spoke to him about the manner in which money could be raised to pay a satisfactory organist. They did not consider Miss Hurley as a possibility at all. She had done well enough with the old organ, and it had been pleasant for her, and well for the church, that she had been permitted to play the squeaky old instrument without pay, but she simply would not do when it came to the new organ. David listened, his head resting in his hand and one long finger touching his temple. He saw at once that a quarrel was in the air.
"You did not know," he asked, "that Miss Hurley has been taking lessons from Mademoiselle Moran for a month or more!"
"Oh, that!" said Lucille. "That's nonsense! If she wants to play 'Onward, Christian Soldiers' for the Sunday school, I don't object; but church music! We have heard the organist at Derlingport!"
"I think," said David, "that for a while at least, if we get a pipe organ, Miss Hurley should be our organist. She is looking forward to it. She is taking lessons with that in view!"
Lucille said nothing, but in her eyes David saw the resolve to be rid of Miss Hurley.
"Miss Jane understands, I think," David said, "that she is to continue as our organist. At no advance in salary," he smiled.
Lucille closed her mouth firmly. As clearly as if she had spoken, David read in her face: "Well, if that's who is to play the pipe organ, I shan't try to get one!" He did not wait for her to speak.
"I feel," he said, "that if Miss Hurley is to be thrown out after so many years of patient and faithful struggling with the miserable instruments she has had to do with, it would be better to let the whole idea of having a pipe organ drop. At any rate, the chance of getting one seems small."