Page:H. D. Traill - From Cairo to the Soudan Frontier.djvu/138

120 Severus had some much-needed repairs executed in your upper story."

"What? Not as an everlasting lesson to all rash restorers?"

"Rash restorers!" echoed Shama, contemptuously. "You talk as if your song had been as old as yourself, and a natural or supernatural birth-gift of your own."

The Southern Colossus spoke with some tartness of tone. He was a little irritated at his brother's airs of superiority. The Northern Figure maintained a dignified silence.

"Look here," resumed Shama at last, "I think that after all these years we might as well be candid with each other. It won't do to talk about your singing as though it were an accomplishment of immense antiquarian value. As a matter of fact, we both of us know very well that you hadn't a note in you before the earthquake of 27. A musical career of only a little over a couple of centuries isn't much to make a fuss about."

"It might have occurred to a more logical