“Okay,” he said. “Enough said.”
“What time do you boys have to be in Live Oak?” Mrs. Walker said.
“Our appointment at St. Patrick’s is at three,” Noah said.
“Good,” she said. “That gives us time to clean up the kitchen.”
“Grandma, you don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but if you can persuade Tom to go back to the organ and play some more, Mildred and I will be happy to tidy up.”
“Tom?”
“Need you ask? Let me finish this last bite and I’ll go.”
“What was that last piece you were playing?” Mrs. Walker said.
“Ives’ Variations on America,” he said. “The composer wrote it when he was a boy of sixteen or thereabouts.”
“Well, I thought it was wonderful, and I’d love to hear it again.”
“Sure.” Tom finished his plate and went to the organ. He repeated the Ives piece and went on to rehearse
