Pianos were playing, children shouting over the last game of
the day; all hushed into a coloured mild tranquillity. In the fields
beyond the houses the quiet was absolute.
Maggie found the building. The facade was blazing with electric
light. A huge poster, of the now familiar pink, declared:
GRAND RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL. All are invited. IS ALL WELL WITH YOU,
BROTHER?
There was a crowd about the doors, and continually, with giggles and
shamefaced laughter, couples broke away and climbed the steps into
the Hall. Maggie, feeling that all eyes were upon her, entered the
building. In the vestibule two grave-faced women in black bonnets
handed papers with prayers and hymns to every newcomer. Maggie took
hers, a door was opened in front of her, and she went in. The
auditorium was a large one, semicircular in shape, with tiers of
seats rising circus-fashion to a ceiling decorated with silver stars
and pink naked cherubs. The stage had upon it a table, some chairs,
and a reading-desk draped in crimson cloth. Below the stage was a
small orchestra, consisting of two fiddles, a cornet, drum, and a
piano.
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