We always took part in the concerts given by the Windsor & Eton Choral Society of which Sir George [Elvey] was the Conductor. He taught playing & singing at several Ladies’ Schools & at one near Slough they occasionally performed sacred plays at which we sang. One I remember especially when we were all dressed as girls in white muslin singing in the choruses. Every time I had the chance I made some excuse to go to “Queen Esther” for a kiss & once narrowly escaped setting my muslin dress on fire. The girl who took the part of the Queen was very dark & was one of the prettiest girls I have ever seen. The drums used at the Choral Society’s Concerts were very loud & Sir George used to say that “they covered a multitude of sins.”