The choirmaster smiled deprecatingly. He had small, obsequious eyes and
narrow shoulders. "If the gracious Herr would be so good," he said,
shrugging them a little. "The people have assembled." He glanced back
over the fast-filling church and raised his eyebrows a trifle to
indicate the honor.
Bach smiled gravely. A humorous look came into his eyes. "Let the
service go on as usual," he said quietly. "When it is done, I will
play--if time allows."
The choirmaster squeezed his moist palms and wiped an anxious brow. "And
that, too--will be well," he murmured gratefully. "It will please the
old organist," he added apologetically.