[Nurumaiel]

Falco Headstrong flushed right up to his ears, he was so please that the young boys had accepted him. Maybe it was because his clothes were muddy. Back home the lads had always thought him very stuck-up and proud and hadn't wanted much to do with him, aside from making snide comments behind his back. If only they could see him now, standing and playing with these young boys!

He laughed heartily at Ferrin's perhaps rather poor joke, and drank his pint willingly. Ah, this was where he liked to be! This is where he belonged. Memories of merry days gone by returned to his memory, and he felt young again. He could almost see himself, sitting by the fire, his eyes shining as he whistled a lively tune... he could hear the voice of his old childhood friend, who was the best singer in the South Farthing... he saw lads and lassies dancing and clapping... yes, he could see it all again!

"Referring to what you said earlier, sir," he said, addressing Gil, "yes, I know some fine old songs. I don't often sing them as they were sung long ago, because Fosco (an old friend of mine) and I liked to get the listeners singing, too, and they wouldn't do it if they didn't know how. But, yes, I do know some old songs." He finished his pint, and stood. "In fact, one has sprung to mind that is both appropriate and inappropriate for the occasion. It involves hand-fasting in a sense, but at the same time it is a misfortunate event that we could be glad to say is not falling upon the pretty fair one... you called her Zimzi? Yes, well... if you're familiar with this tune, do play with me. It's called Old Maid in the Garret."

Falco jumped upon the little stage the lads had been playing on, and began to whistle a merry and fast tune... not at all suggesting a 'misfortunate event,' Marigold thought. The younger musicians did seem to be familiar with the tune, and those who weren't absorbed in eating joined in. Seeing that he had accompaniment, Falco lowered the whistle and began to sing.

I was told by my aunt,
I was told by my mother
that going to a wedding
is the makings of another,
And if this be so then
I'll go without a bidding.
Oh, kind providence
won't you send me to a wedding.

And it's oh dear me! How will it be
if I die an Old Maid in the Garret?

There's my sister Peony;
she's not handsome or good-looking.
Scarcely sixteen
and a fine lad she was courting.
Now she's twenty-four
with a son and a daughter;
here am I at forty-four
and I've never had an offer!

And it's oh dear me! How will it be
if I die an Old Maid in the Garret?

I can cook and I can sew,
I can keep the house right tidy,
rise up in the morning
and get the breakfast ready.
There's nothing in this wide world
that makes my heart so cheery
as a wee fat man to call me
his own dearie!

And it's oh dear me! How will it be
if I die an Old Maid in the Garret?

And then Falco let his voice fall silent and began to play his whistle again. He was stamping his feet... little golden-haired Marigold was clapping in time to the music and laughing... there were ejaculations of encouragement and admiration from the crowd of listeners... his eyes were shining... he could almost hear Fosco beside him, laughing, clapping, dancing... he could see his sister, dancing the baby in he rarms... and he could almost see that very sweetest of sweet faces, that dimpled smile, those black curls falling around the rosy cheeks. She was happier and merrier than anyone else. And then she faded away from the green lawn, but there was no sudden pang in his heart. He saw Marigold's little face, and he thought her smile was remarkably like the black-haired girl's smile.

He finished his instrumental piece and sang the last verse.

So come landsman, come townsman,
come tinker or come tailor,
come fiddler, come dancer,
come ploughboy or come sailor,
come rich man, come poor man,
come fool or come witty,
come any man at all!
Won't you marry out of pity?

And it's oh dear me! How will it be
if I die an Old Maid in the Garret?

One last time he sang the chorus, slowing down and drawing the last note out for a finish.

And it's oh dear me! How will it be
if I die an Old Maid in the Garret?