Bertha, in her Prince Edward drawl, said to Dan, “She did very well.”
Dan replied, “Oh I knew all the time that Phoebe could do it.”
Nancy nudged Dan on the knee to keep it low. They were audible enough that the people in the intermediate seats could hear them. The lady in the seat in front whispered to her husband, “I’ll bet that’s the girls parents right behind us.”
The lady was so enthused that she turned right around and gave the Croiners a big smile. The moderator got up out of his seat and mounted his pulpit. The man, no doubt, was a senior citizen. He looked like a person with the purpose that could feel in command of any pulpit. He made a small motion with his head.
“That was a superb. I’m glad that they have recorded. I hope that they can apply the same technique for our evening service.”
He went on preaching for about another twenty minutes. After his announcements, he said that the congregation and the choir will sing hymn number 79 in the hymnbook. ‘Amazing Grace’. The monster organ again bellowed from its monster pipes. It was very impressive to listen to a forty person choir and probably three to four hundred voice congregation. The hymn sounded sweet and soothing. Then Phoebe was practically on her own. Her voice sound throughout that church just like a mountain roller canary at mating time. After the service, that lady in front of the Croiners could not resist the temptation to ask the people behind her if they were the parents of that wonderful girl.
Dan said, “Yes, we are the dad and,” pointing to Bertha, “this is her mum.”
“You must be very proud of her.”
“We are indeed, ma’am.”
The congregation slowly made its way toward the entrances, Helen taking the lead. You could hear, “hasn’t that girl got a wonderful voice” or “that girls a gold mine. She is the best thing I have ever heard”.
The Sindons and the Croiners waited for a time in the vestibule, then decided they had better make for home. It didn’t take long for Nancy and Helen to have a pre cooked meal on the table.
Helen said, “There isn’t much point in waiting. Phoebe and Sam will be here when they get here and that’s all I can say.”
Helen looked across the table at Bertha and Dan. “Now, Dan, what did you think of Phoebe’s performance?”
Bertha said, “I think that she held her own very well.”
Dan joined in. “That’s some barn of the church. You could spend hours inside it.”
Just then Sam and Phoebe pulled up. Helen got out of her chair.
Phoebe, dear, you must be famished. You sit right down. I’m finished anyway. Will you have a bite, Sam?”
“No thanks, Helen. Laura will be waiting for me.”
Now, Sam, how did thing shape up for you? Just how did the service go in your opinion?”
“Just great, Helen.” Standing behind Phoebe’s chair, he patted her on the shoulder. “She was magnificent, Helen.”
“Yes, Sam, we heard some very encouraging comments from some of the congregation as they filed out.”
Sam looked at the Croiners and said, “Phoebe is one of the most talented girls I have ever met. I just wish that we could keep her here”
Dan had a big grin all over his face and said to Mr. Gilson, “We know that she is one of the very best but she has a little streak of Irish in her.”
Bertha said, “Now Dan, that is enough of that”. Bertha knew where that conversation with Dan could lead to.
Mr. Gilson gone, Bertha said, “We had better be heading off before too long for Dunadry.”
Dell said, “I’ll bet that the evening service will be something to see.”
Bertha said, “Dell, I would just love to see it but Earl and Esther were never left alone so long in their lives.”
Dan looked at Phoebe. “Do you suppose, Phoebe, if we called them on the phone, that they would mind?”
Phoebe said, “That’s up to mum,”
Nancy said, “If we decided to stay I would have to call the Huingzo family. That’s where Jean and Blake are.”
Dan said, “Bertha, suppose you called them and had a good talk with them do you think it would ease your mind? After all, Bertha, they’re pretty well grown now.”
Bertha said, “I do not want to spoil this for all of you. Do you all really want to stay for the evening service?”
Dell said, “I think that we will never see a service like this in our lifetime. What do you think Dan?”
“I love to see it myself, Dell, but I’m leaving it up to Bertha.”
Bertha said, “Very well, get them on the phone. I’m promising you nothing but I shall try.”
Helen got the kids on the phone. Bertha said, “How are you guys getting along? Are you getting lots to eat?” It was Esther on the phone. “Are you keeping yourself warm? It has turned cold up here.”
“Mum, don’t worry. Earl and I are getting along fine.”
“Well, hold the line and talk to Dell”
Dell assured the kids about their mum and dad. “Besides, Nancy and I are very anxious to hear Phoebe in the evening service of the church.”
Esther said, “Go ahead.”
Dell said, “If your mama approves I will call the Huingzo family and tell them to keep Jean and Blake overnight. Now I will put your mother on the line.”
Esther hung onto the line, “Dell, Dell, hold it for a jiffy, Earl wants to speak to you.”
Earl asked excitedly, “How did that Willys-Knight run on the highway?”
“Oh, Earl, we just loved it. That new sleeve-valve motor just purred along, but you know something, Earl, the blamed thing burned nearly as much oil as gas.”
“But, Dell, it’s very special, all four-wheeled brakes and the big red Vee on the back fenders warning the rest of the dudes to be careful.”
“Well, Listen, Earl, we should be home by two o’clock if your mom decides to stay for this service. Here is your mum now, Earl.”
Bertha said, “Maybe I should stay. I will if your child will be alright.”
Esther got on the phone, “Mum, we want to hear all about Phoebe in that big church. You stay and take it all in.”
Bertha said good night to the kids and asked if they have locked up the chicken coop.
“Yes, yes, mum. Go for it.”
Around six thirty, the Croiners, Helen and the Sintons were sipping tea when Mr. Gilson called to pick up Phoebe.
“I have to look after our girl, Mr. and Mrs. Croiner.”
“Well, Mr. Gilson,” Bertha horned in, “this Mr. and Mrs. Sinton. I am Bertha and he is Dan.”
“Okay, I do remember that, Mrs. Croiner.”
Phoebe and Mr. Gilson were about to leave when he told Helen that the stewards were bringing in a lot of chairs from the hall. “Apparently, Phoebe has caused a wave.”
Helen said, “In that case, we better get there in good time so as to get a decent seat.”
Bertha said, “Maybe I better stay at home. I’m not used to this commotion.”
Dan went over and put his arm around Bertha.
“Now Bertha, you must not talk like that. If you do anything like that to our Phoebe, she would feel awfully let down. How do you know that when Phoebe is up there tonight she probably has you and me in front of her forehead.”
“Dan, I feel sorry. I’m sure you are right.”
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