The San Francisco call., 1905-02-12

The world is truly very small Every
thing is unromantically just next door.
You may escape your neighbor in
Tibet, but it is unlikely. In San Fran
cisco it. is impossible. But I fear me
that some one has said this before. I
cannot. however, help it saying itself
again, seeing that the saw hit me with
the soft impact Of q brick when met
Madame Melba this week. Last week
had the honor Of meeting and talking
with Mr. Arnold Dolmetsch, who is the
original, as he picturesquely owned and
i faithfully reported, Of the old musi-
clan, Inness, in George Moore's novel
Evelyn Inness." This week 1 have
had the honor Of FIVE minutes With
Madame MeIba, who is equally unde-
niably the original Of Evelyn Inness
The rest Of the CASTOR George Moore
drew numerically upon his acquaint-
ance for his characters-wilI doubtless
be in town next week, as it is only five
thousand miles or so from the scenes Of
the novel
Could I see madame after her last
song?' 1 asked her manager on Tues
cay evening at the concert. Very defer
ontially Ir Brennan thought so. He
cid not see why not, himself-though
with an experienced eye on the capri
cious providence that governs prinla
donnas he would not be sure. He would
ask madame. Yes, madame would be
delighted. Mr.. Brennan was delighted
10 say. She would see me for a few
moments after the last song. How long
cid he suppose ] might have? oh, he
did not know, quite five minutes, he
would say. I tried 10 look my graft
tUde. Moments at Sl500-Or is it
more ?-an evening are not TO be
sneezed at But on the way behind
scenes the manager told me that 1
might have more time another time,
bur have moments myself.
The diva had just finished her Com
In Thro the Rye" The house was
stin wildly applaUding In the wings
stood a small crowd OF devotees, male
and female. Signorina SassoH, the
harpist, broad -browed and grave
eyed, stood there like a Roman Hebe,
holding a little silver mug Of water.
Another woman, looking charmingly
like an old French countess. held the
diVa's wrap, and calculated various lit
lie Gallic enthusiasns as the singer
came off. Yet another satellite held an
other wrap, all soft grays and chin
clilla, and the others looked on. not
too near and worshipfully, as NIelba
finally satisfied the audience with
farewell bow.
She herself. with an agreeably unaf-
al. IN 80
as she came cut for the last time
wondered il she would embrace the
crowd in the heat of her triumph as
Patti did and does. She did not She
took a matter-of-fsct sip from the lit
lie mug that Miss Sassoli held, drew
round her the wrap, an altogether
charming and ridiculous affair of lace
Brussels-and fur, thanking the holder
iu ID French much less foreign than the
Australian kind she used to affect with
1lr Grau, and then MeIba turned
l9 me.
There was in her greeting wholly
surprising, charming and quite distinct
touch Of shyness. together with an al
most bOyish frankness and good nature
Tor which report does not at all prepare
one. There was not an atom Of side
ln her manner. and in a quaint, bus-
ncss-lke fashion she asked me just
what I wished TO know.
You mustn't keep me long," she pre-
luded, like the girl in the fairy story
dropping pearls and opals instead of
mere words. However. they had a
Quaint-nOt cockney. say Australian
favor, that redeemed them from utter
unearthliness. The next string of them
brought the divinity still nearer earth:
You mustn't really keep me long, for
] am going to supper with friends-and
I'm hungry" she laughingly added.
And then we moved aside TO our small
chat.
IN her cloudy, trailing lace, broideries
OF gold, Jewel fire and glitter she was a
radiant figure against the dun and dust
Of behind scenes" She stood all the
time we talked, a tall, buovant, per-
fectly poised figure that suggests a
magnificent healthfulness The chat
began with the diva showing me her
medals, two and gold and worn con-
spicuousiy on her corsage with q very
mint Of diamonds-diamonds stringing
together the front and back Of her,
to the left and right Of her, every
where.
I'm very proud Of those" she told
me, and showed me on one medal the
heads OF the English King and Queen,