When quiet was finally restored, Barry began to play. For his opening
number he made a daring choice. It was the intricate but altogether
tuneful Ballade and Polonaise by Vieuxtemps. Throughout the somewhat
lengthy number he held his audience fixed under the mastery of his art.
It was a triumph immediate and complete. When he had finished the
last brilliant movement of the Polonaise, the men burst again into
enthusiastic cheering, moved not only by the music but more by the
spirit of their chaplain, which they could not fail to understand and
appreciate.
He had already achieved what the O. C. had desired, but he was not yet
done with them. Having finished his classical selection, which he was
quite well aware Coleman could not touch, he turned to the latter and
gravely motioned him to the piano stool. Coleman hesitated, not knowing
quite what would be demanded of him.
"Come on, Coleman, be a sport," shouted a young officer, the audience
joining once more in encouraging cheers.
Still Coleman hesitated.
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