Marian Paroo smiled as she looked around the high school classroom. By reminding the River City-ziens just how much Harold Hill's coming to town had enriched all their lives, she had convinced them not to tar and feather the man. Even Mrs. Shinn had defied her husband to stand up with the others in a stunning show of solidarity and support! The only thing that gave Marian pause was the uncharacteristically grim expression still lingering on Professor Hill's countenance.

Sadly, Harold was right to be pessimistic; her triumph turned out to be short-lived. "And the rest of you, who are standing there like a cote of Shropshire sheep!" Mayor Shinn harrumphed. "Maybe you can remember some other things. Like what you paid for all those uniforms, technical instruction books and band instruments – with the clear understanding and warranty that your children would be taught to play in a band! Well, where's the band?" The outrage in his voice increased. "Where's the band?"

As the mayor spoke, everyone sat down, and Marian's smile faded. She had to admit Harold's prospects looked dismal, but she stubbornly clung to the belief things would eventually work out in his favor. One thing she was certain of was that she was not going to allow them to tar and feather her beloved, even if she had to throw herself over his body – just as Pocahontas threw herself over John Smith to save him from execution.

Before Marian could think of what to do next, someone standing just outside the classroom blew a whistle. The doors swung open and Tommy Djilas proudly marched in, followed by the River City boys' band. They were all dressed in full band regalia – Marian beamed as she spotted Winthrop among the boys, looking pleased and proud in his fancy new uniform.

Once the boys were assembled, Marian took Harold by the hand and led him to the front of the band. After procuring a makeshift platform and baton for him, she settled herself into a nearby chair.

There was an awkward pause. Professor Hill faltered and stepped down. "No, no, I couldn't – "

Marian caught Harold and led him back to his place, giving him a confident, reassuring smile. This was his chance to show the townspeople they were wrong about him, that he could lead a band as well as any formally credentialed conductor. Marian realized that such an opinion, especially coming from a music teacher, was irrational and absurd. But she had also suffered through enough of her students' lifeless and uninspired renditions of Chopin's romantic etudes to know there was more to music than cold mechanics – one had to feel the song in order to play it properly. And passion for music was something Professor Hill did not lack. Marian hoped passion would be enough; she prayed it would be enough.

And so, it seemed, did Professor Hill. After one last glance back at her, he cast his eyes heavenward and muttered, "Now think, men – think!" Then he lifted the makeshift baton and closed his eyes.

At Professor Hill's prompt, the River City boys' band immediately launched into Beethoven's Minuet in G. It may have been halting, it may have been graceless, it may have been off-pitch (the one or two people in the room who actually knew something about music looked slightly appalled), but it was definitely recognizable. And the parents were as enthralled as if it was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing before them.

"That's my Barney!" Mrs. Hix cried. "That tuba's my Barney!"

"Wonderful, Barney," Professor Hill said gratefully.

"That's Eddie!" Mrs. Squires gushed. "That's Eddie's clarinet!"

"Linus!" Mrs. Dunlop called out admiringly. "Play to me, son – play to me!"

A man in back stood up. "Davey – that's my Davey!"

As the rest of the parents in the room shouted their congratulations, the boys' confidence grew. Their playing became a lot smoother – not better, necessarily, as they were still out of sync, but harmony would come with practice. After the River City boys' band finally concluded the Minuet in G with a loud, discordant flourish, Professor Hill turned to face the audience.

Everyone in the room burst into thunderous applause, including Mayor Shinn. There were a few exceptions, of course – Charlie Cowell in particular looked extremely put out, but no one concerned themselves about him. Reduced to insignificance once more, he stormed out of the classroom as everyone rushed up to congratulate Professor Hill and the boys. Not wanting to be crushed by the onslaught, Marian vacated her seat and moved out of the way as everyone pressed forward. There would be plenty of time for her to congratulate him later; right now her words would be drowned out by the flurry of well-wishers clamoring for his attention.

As Marian made her way toward the doors, Mrs. Paroo intercepted her. "Why didn't you go over to him? If anyone's earned a place by his side, it's you!" She glared at the women who were fawning over Professor Hill. "Already, they're trying to get their hooks into him – you've got to protect your interests!"

Marian laughed. "Mama, he's a human being, not a territory to be annexed! Besides, this is his moment; he's earned the right to enjoy it without any interruption. I'd just cause a disturbance if I tried to get through that tightly packed crowd." She turned toward the door. "I'll see you at home, Mama."

Mrs. Paroo sighed. "All right – I'm going to stay here and wait for Winthrop."

"I'll leave the lights on for you both," Marian promised, before exiting the classroom.

XXX

Marian had just reached the main entrance of the high school when she heard light but rapid footsteps clattering on the tiled floors behind her.

"Marian! Are you leaving already?"

Marian turned around, delighted. She had expected Harold to come looking for her, but she never dreamed he would so soon. "Professor Hill! How did you manage to escape your adoring fans?"

"The simple expediency of the old 'I need to visit the lavatory' alibi," he said with a grin. "It works just as well now as it did when I was in grade school."

Marian gave a little grimace. "An efficient, if indelicate, excuse. But that won't buy you much time, I'm afraid."

"It will buy me enough time for what I had in mind," Harold said, approaching her with a gleam in his eye. Before she could ask him to elaborate, he gave her a brief but passionate kiss. "I couldn't let you get away without thanking you properly."

There was something about the way he was looking at her that made Marian feel mischievous. "And that was supposed to be a proper thank you?" she said archly.

"You're absolutely right – it wasn't proper at all," he replied in a mock-serious voice. "For one thing, it was much too short… " Harold moved in for another kiss, but Marian backed away.

"Someone could come by and see us," she explained at his disappointed look. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the whole town came pouring down those halls, looking for you – and that's not the show I want to be giving them!"

Harold beamed at her. "Well, that settles it!" he declared, taking her by the arm. "I'm going to have to walk you home. Then, when we've reached the privacy of your front porch, I'll give you the long, drawn-out thank you that you truly deserve."

Marian knew it was useless to argue with Harold once he had made up his mind to do something – and she wasn't at all inclined to dissuade him from his planned course of action. So without further protest, she let him lead her out of the high school.

XXX

To be continued…