“Very well, Davidson, I hope we shall be friends. My name is Walter Parker, and I live in Cross Street.”
“So do I,” said Alfred. “I am staying with Mrs. Dawson.”
“I live next door, so we can go home together.”
These few words made Alfred feel quite happy, and at the invitation of his new friend he joined in the game of prisoner’s base. Walter Parker was thirteen years of age, a stout, well-built boy, although not very tall.
Alfred Davidson, although so young, had a voice of wonderful power and sweetness, and having been taught music by his mother for some time, he had at eight entered the choir of the parish church of Darlton, where he had continued his training for some three years. He had just succeeded in obtaining not only a place in the choir by competition, to the exclusion of Herbert King’s younger brother, but even the appointment of a probationer soloist, which was very unusual for so young a boy.
The deputy choir-master, who was also the schoolmaster, called the boys in to work. The room was under the cathedral library, and led out of the cloister.
“Davidson,” said Walter Parker to him, “‘uncle’ is calling you.”
“Is he your uncle?” inquired Alfred, as he moved out of his seat.
“No,” replied Walter; “but we always call him uncle behind his back.”
“Come here,” said Mr. Harmer; “I want to examine you, to see in which division I can place you.”
Alfred answered the questions put to him sufficiently well to be placed in the first division.
“I hope, Davidson, you will work well, so that I may be able to keep you in this division. If not, of course I shall put you down into the second. You can go back to your seat again.”
Walter Parker assisted Mr. Harmer by taking the youngest and the most backward boys. Herbert King was his equal as far as knowledge went, but the master had chosen Walter in preference to King, as he was more patient and careful in the work. These two boys were the principal soloists, but as King’s voice was beginning to show signs of breaking, it was necessary to have another boy in training, ready to take his place later on. King had hoped that his brother would obtain a place in the choir, but the organist, Dr. Phillips, and Mr. Young, the precentor (one of the clergy who assist in directing the musical services), had both chosen Alfred to fill the vacancy. This was one reason why King felt anything but friendly towards the newcomer.