Evening star., 1909-07-18


gested grand finale for the evening. But his
hearers not yet satisfied They over
whelmed him with demands for more. and SO,
with a courteous heart but tired features, he
continued on and on.
At last when exhaustion had weakened the
strokes of the bow to a mere whisper, and the
fingers were involuntarily trembling on the
strings, the professor turned to his hostess.
must really insist that both my violin and are
in need of rest" said he, and with a formal
" Goodnight" he retired to his chamber.
A LONG, dreamless sleep and hearty break
= fast brought the weary musician back to
his accustomed energy, and he was prepared
for anything when he met his hostess again.
Her features were set in austere severity
Professor" she bcyan, . | shall be perfectly
frank with YOU You probably realize that
consider everything in the light of a pure busi-
ness proposition. My guests here make them
selves agreeable or useful to me in various ways,
and it is for that reason that | invite them.
Your one great asset is your violin. shall not
mince matters. particularly as have been dis
appointed by several other artists Everything
that you enjoy here has definite value, which
you pay for only with certain definite
amount of music Your own ideas of balanced
accounts do not seem to agree with mine. Last
night after what | myself am free to call an
unusually fine dinner, you stopped playing be
fore two-thirds of the courses had been paid tor.
am willing to overlook this first offense; but
itemized account of all that you receive, with
what l consider fair payment in music"
She stopped for breath and held out pink
slip of paper Il have here she said, your
bi1l for one nights lodging
He took the slip and read:
FOR ONE NIGHT
a. Abendlied oeiioil,dhii ~
b. Berceuse Observation-Disclosures. Greg
G. Traunerei ei....... Schumann
The combination appealed to his sense OF
1,al for, ole
in her own eyes; but her face was as stern and
immovable as before sudden thought
seemed to strike her.
Il presume that you had bath this morn
lng9' she asked.
II did" acknowledged the professor humblv
"In that case YOU might add some little Bach
selection,-that unaccompanied gavotte you
play we'll
He wrote it down silently if in dream
Here she added, handing him a second
pink slip, "is the bill of fare for the breakfast
you have just eaten. The musical parallels,
while not exact, are adequate.
He read with growing anazement:
BREAKFAST
Peaches and cream:
Serenade Schubert
Cereal:
Alteration Observation-Disclosures. Borowsk1
Sweetbread outlets:
Polish Dances. s................ w leniawski
Fried mush with syrup:
Angels Serenade. e................ Braga
Scrambled eggs
Hungarian Dances, No. 5....... Brahms
Hot rolls:
One Paganini caprice each.
Coffee:
Humoreske Observation-Disclosures. Dvorak
The professor smiled in spite of himself; but
his equanimity was still undisturbed. Mad
am" he said with a bow :" | only hope that the
music will be as good as the breakfast"
In half an hour, then" she answered, we
shall be ready for your recital"
HE wandered absentmindedly through the
magnificent grounds until the appointed
time. Arrived at the music room once more
he was confronted with the inevitable pink slip
containing several new items, including the
great kreutzer Sonata, which was to represent
the usual tips to servants.
The program was lengthy The audi
ence divided into groups to play bridge, or
chatted on the broad verandas, and the pro-
fessor labored patiently on, thankful to receive
his share of the applause. 1t was midday be-
fore he had finished He retired to his room.
hot and exhausted. and rested his weary body
on the cool. white bed. Soon he sum
moned to luncheon He ate his meal SILENTLY
with the knowledge that further torture
awaited him.
l. The afternoon was similar to the morning.
Many of the guests went driving or motoring
but a number remained to hear him play
through the elaborate feast of which he had