下载辰思小说免费APP
``Ifyouknowthat，’’saidthegeneralinhisevenslowway，monotonous，almostlifeless，``youknowyou’dbettercomewithmethanstandoutagainstme。’’
Shedidnotlethimseehowthisstruckterrorintoher。Shesaid：``Nomatterwhatyoumightdotome，whenI’mawayfromyou，itwouldbelessthanyou’ddowithmeunderyourroof。Atanyrate，it’dseemless。’’
Thegeneralreflected，decidedtochangetoanotherpoint：``Youmadeabargainwithme。You’vebrokenit。Ineverletanyonebreakabargainwithmewithoutmakingthemregretit。I’mgivingyouachancetokeepyourbargain。’’
Shewastemptedtodiscuss，butshecouldnotfindthewords，orthestrength。Besides，howfutiletodiscusswithsuchaman。Shesankbackinherchairwearily。``Ishallnevergoback，’’shesaid。
Helookedather，hisfacedevoidofexpression，butshehadasenseofmalignanceunutterableeyingherfrombehindascreen。Hesaid：``Iseeyou’vemisunderstoodmygenerosity。YouthinkI’mweakwhereyouareconcernedbecauseI’vecometoyouinsteadofdoingasIsaidandmakingyoucometome。’’Herose。
``Well，myoffertoyouisclosed。AndoncemoreI
say，youwillcometomeandasktobetakenback。I
mayormaynottakeyouback。ItdependsonhowI’llfeelatthattime。’’
Slowly，withhisludicrouslypompousstrut，hemarchedtothedrawing-roomdoor。Shehadnotfeltlikesmiling，butiftherehadbeenanysuchinclinationitwouldhavefledbeforethecountenancethatturneduponheratthethreshold。Itwasthelean，littlefacewiththefunnytoupeeandneedle-likemustacheandimperial，butbehinditlayapersonalitylikethedull，cold，yelloweyesofthedevil-fishambushedinthehazymassofdun-coloredformlessnessofcollapsedbodyandtentacles。Hesaid：
``You’dbestbecarefulhowyouconductyourself。
You’llbeunderconstantobservation。Andanyfriendsyoumake——they’ddowelltoavoidyou。’’
Hewasgone。Shesatwithoutthepowerofmotion，withoutthepowerofthought。Afteratime——perhapslong，perhapsshort，shedidnotknow——Mrs。
Belloccameinandentereduponavolubleapologyforthemaid’shavingshown``thelittlegentleman’’intothedrawing-roomwhenanotherwasalreadythere。
``Thatmaid’sasgreenasspringcorn，’’saidshe。
``Suchathingneverhappenedinmyhousebefore。
Andit’llneverhappenagain。Idohopeitdidn’tcausetrouble。’’
``Itwasmyhusband，’’saidMildred。``Ihadtoseehimsometime。’’
``He’scertainlyaveryelegantlittlegentleman，’’
saidMrs。Belloc。``Iratherlikesmallmen，myself。’’
Mildredgazedathervaguelyandsaid，``Tellme——
arichman，averyrichman——ifhehatesanyone，canhemaketrouble？’’
``Moneycandoanythinginthistown，’’repliedMrs。
Belloc。``Butusuallyrichmenaretimidandstingy。
Iftheyweren’t，they’dmakeusallcringe。Asitis，I’veheardsomeawfulstoriesofhowmenandwomenwho’vegotsomepowerfulpersondownonthemhavebeenhounded。’’
Mildredturneddeathlysick。``IthinkI’llgotomyroom，’’shesaid，risinguncertainlyandforcingherselftowardthedoor。
Mrs。Belloc’scuriositycouldnotrestrainitself。
``You’releaving？’’sheasked。``You’regoingbacktoyourhusband？’’
Shewasstartledwhenthegirlabruptlyturnedonherandcriedwithflashingeyesandvoicestrongandvibrantwithpassion：``Never！Never！Nomatterwhatcomes——NEVER！’’
Therestofthedayandthatnightshehidinherroomandmadenoefforttoresisttheterrorthatpreyeduponher。Justasourstrengthisoftenthesourceofweakness，soourweaknessesoftengivebirthtostrength。
Herterrorofthelittlegeneral，givenfullswing，shriekedandgrimaceditselfintoabsurdity。Shewasashamedofherorgy，waslaughingatitasthesunandintoxicatingairofatypicalNewYorkmorningpouredinuponher。SheacceptedMrs。Belloc’sinvitationtotakeaturnthroughtheparkandupRiversideDriveinataxicab，camebackrestoredtohernormalstateofblindconfidenceinthefuture。AboutnoonStanleyBairdtelephoned。
``Wemustnotseeeachotheragainforsometime，’’
saidhe。``Irathersuspectthatyou——know——whomaybehavingyouwatched。’’
``I’msureofit，’’saidshe。``Hewarnedme。’’
``Don’tletthatdisturbyou，’’pursuedStanley。``A
man——asingingteacher——hisname’sEugeneJennings——
willcallonyouthisafternoonatthree。Doexactlyashesuggests。Lethimdoallthetalking。’’
ShehadintendedtotellBairdfranklythatshethought，indeedknew，thatitwashighlydangerousforhimtoenterintoheraffairsinanyway，andtourgehimtodrawoff。Shefeltthatitwasonlyfairtoactsotowardonewhohadbeenunselfishlygeneroustoher。Butnowthatthetimeforspeakinghadcome，shefoundherselfunabletospeak。Onlybyflatlyrefusingtohaveanythingtodowithhisprojectcouldsheprevailuponhim。Tosaylessthanthatshehadcompletelyandfinallychangedhermindwouldsound，andwouldbe，insincere。Andthatshecouldnotsay。
Shefelthownobleitwouldbetosaythis，howselfish，andweak，too，itwastoclingtohim，possiblytoinvolvehimindisagreeableandevendangerouscomplications，butshehadnostrengthtodowhatshewouldhavedenouncedanotherasbasefornotdoing。Insteadoftheloftywordsthatflowsofreelyfromthelipsofstageandfictionheroines，insteadofthewordsthatanyandeveryreaderofthishistorywoulddoubtlesshavepronouncedinthesamecircumstances，shesaid：
``You’requitesureyouwanttogoon？’’
``Whynot？’’cameinstantlybackoverthewire。
``Heisavery，veryrelentlessman，’’repliedshe。
``Didhetrytofrightenyou？’’
``I’mafraidhesucceeded。’’
``You’renotgoingbackonthecareer！’’exclaimedheexcitedly。``I’llcomedownthereand——’’
``No，no，’’criedshe。``Iwassimplygivingyouachancetofreeyourself。’’Shefeltsureofhimnow。
Shescrambledtowardtheheightsofmoralgrandeur。
``Iwantyoutostop。I’venorighttoaskyoutoinvolveyourselfinmymisfortunes。Stanley，youmustn’t。Ican’tallowit。’’
``Oh，fudge！’’laughedhe。``Don’tgivemethesescares。Don’tforget——Jenningsatthree。Good-byandgoodluck。’’
Andherangoffthatshemighthavenochanceonimpulsetodoherselfmischiefwithhergenerousthoughtfulnessforhim。Shefeltrathermean，butnotnearlysomeanasshewouldhavefelthadshelettheopportunitygobywithnogenerouswordsaid。``Andnodoubtmyaversionforthatlittlewretch，’’thoughtshe，``makesmethinkhimmoreterriblethanheis。
Afterall，whatcanhedo？Watchme——anddiscovernothing，becausethere’llbenothingtodiscover。’’
Jenningscameexactlyatthree——camewiththeairofamanwhowastesnoone’stimeandletsnoonewastehistime。Hewasayoungishmanoffortyorthere-
abouts，withalongsharpnose，alargetightmouth，andeyesthatseemedtobelookingrestlesslyaboutformoney。Thattheyhadnotlookedinvainseemedtobeindicatedbysuchfactsasthathecameinaprivatebroughamandthathewasmostcarefullydressed，apparentlywiththeaidofavalet。
``MissStevens，’’hesaidwithanabruptbow，beforeMildredhadachancetospeak，``youhavecometoNewYorktotakesinginglessons——toprepareyourselfforthestage。Andyouwishacomfortableplacetoliveandtowork。’’Heextendedhisglovedhand，shookhersfrigidly，droppedit。``Weshallgeton——IFyouwork，butonlyifyouwork。Idonotwastemyselfupontriflers。’’Hedrewacardfromhispocket。``Ifyouwillgotoseetheladywhosenameandaddressarewrittenonthiscard，Ithinkyouwillfindthequartersyouarelookingfor。’’
``Thankyou，’’saidMildred。
``Cometome——myaddressisonthecard，also——
athalf-pasttenonSaturday。Wewillthenlayoutyourwork。’’
``IfyoufindIhaveavoiceworthwhile，’’Mildredventured。
``That，ofcourse，’’saidMr。Jenningscurtly。
``Untilhalf-pasttenonSaturday，goodday。’’
Againhegavetheabruptforeignbowand，whileMildredwasstillstrugglingwithhersurpriseandconfusion，shesawhim，throughthewindow，drivingrapidlyaway。Mrs。Belloccamedriftingthroughtheroom。shehadthehabitoflookingaboutwhenevertherewerenewvisitors，andinheritwasnotirritatingbecauseherinterestwasinnocentandsympathetic。
SaidMildred：
``Didyouseethatman，Mrs。Belloc？’’
``Whatanextraordinarynosehehad，’’repliedshe。
``Yes，Inoticedthat，’’saidMildred。``ButitwastheonlythingIdidnotice。Heisasingingteacher——
Mr。Jennings。’’
``EugeneJennings？’’
``Yes，Eugene。’’
``He’sthebestknownsingingteacherinNewYork。
Hegetsfifteendollarsahalf-hour。’’
``ThenIsimplycan’ttakefromhim！’’exclaimedMildred，beforeshethought。``That’sfrightful！’’
``Isn’tit，though？’’echoedMrs。Belloc。``I’veheardhisincomeisfiftythousandayear，whatwithlessonsandcoachingandoddsandends。There’salotofthemthatdowell，becausesomanyfoolwomenwithnothingtodocultivatetheirvoices——whentheycan’tsingalittlebit。Buthetopsthemall。Idon’tseehowANYteachercanputfifteendollarsofvalueintohalfanhour。ButIsupposehedoes，orhewouldn’tgetit。Still，hismaybejustanothercaseofNewYorknerve。Thisisthebiggestblufftownintheworld，I
dobelieve。Here，youcangetawaywithanything，I
don’tcarewhatitis，ifonlyyoubluffhardenough。’’
Astherewasnoreasonfordelayandmanyreasonsagainstit，MildredwentatoncetotheaddressonthecardJenningshadleft。ShefoundMrs。HowellBrindleyinstalledinaplaincomfortableapartmentinFifty-ninthStreet，overlookingtheparkandhighenoughtomakethenoiseofthetrafficendurable。A
Swedishmaid，prepossessinglywhiteandclean，usheredherintothelittledrawing-room，whichwasfurnishedwithmoresimplicityandindividualtastethanisusualanywhereinNewYork，cursedofthemaniaforuselessandtastelessshowiness。Therewerenomessydraperies，nofussystatuettes，vases，giltboxes，andthelike。
MildredawaitedtheentranceofMrs。Brindleyhopefully。
Shewasnotdisappointed。Presentlyincameaquietly-dressed，frank-lookingwomanofayoungforty——awomanwhohadbynomeanslostherphysicalfreshness，buthadgainedcharmofanotherandmoreenduringkind。Asshecameforwardwithextendedbutnotovereagerhand，shesaid：
``Iwasexpectingyou，Mrs。Siddall——thatis，MissStevens。’’
``Mr。JenningsdidnotsaywhenIwastocome。IfIamdisturbingyou——’’
Mrs。Brindleyhastenedtoassureherthathervisitwasquiteconvenient。``Imusthavesomeonetosharetheexpenseofthisapartmentwithme，andIwantthemattersettled。Mr。Jenningshasexplainedaboutyoutome，andnowthatI’veseenyou——’’hereshesmiledcharmingly——``Iamreadytosaythatitisforyoutosay。’’
Mildreddidnotknowhowtobegin。ShelookedatMrs。Brindleywithappealinhertroubledyoungeyes。
``Younodoubtwishtoknowsomethingaboutme，’’
saidMrs。Brindley。``Myhusbandwasacomposer——
afriendofMr。Jennings。Hediedtwoyearsago。
IamhereinNewYorktoteachthepiano。Whatthelessonswillbring，withmysmallincome，willenablemetolive——ifIcanfindsomeonetohelpoutattheexpenseshere。AsIunderstandit，youarewillingtopayfortydollarsaweek，Itorunthehouse，payallthebills，andsoon——all，ofcourse，ifyouwishtocomehere。’’
Mildredmadeanotverysuccessfulattempttoconcealherembarrassment。
``Perhapsyouwouldliketolookattheapartment？’’
suggestedMrs。Brindley。
``Thankyou，yes，’’saidMildred。
Thetouroftheapartment——twobedrooms，dining-
room，kitchen，sitting-room，largebath-room，drawing-
room——tookonlyafewminutes，butMildredandMrs。
Brindleycontrivedtobecomemuchbetteracquainted。
SaidMildred，whentheywereinthedrawing-roomagain：
``It’smostattractive——justwhatIshouldlike。
What——howmuchdidMr。Jenningssay？’’
``Fortydollarsaweek。’’Shecoloredslightlyandspokewiththenervousnessofonenotinthehabitofdiscussingmoneymatters。``IdonotseehowIcouldmakeitless。Thatisthefairshareofthe——’’
``Oh，Ithinkthatismostreasonable，’’interruptedMildred。``AndIwishtocome。’’
Mrs。Brindleygaveanalmostchildlikesighofreliefandsmiledradiantly。``Thenit’ssettled，’’saidshe。
``I’vebeensonervousaboutit。’’ShelookedatMildredwithfriendlyunderstanding。``IthinkyouandIaresomewhatalikeaboutpracticalthings。You’venothadmuchexperience，either，haveyou？IjudgesofromthefactthatMr。Jenningsislookingaftereverythingforyou。’’
``I’vehadnoexperienceatall，’’saidMildred。
``ThatiswhyI’mhesitating。I’mwonderingifIcanaffordtopaysomuch。’’
Mrs。Brindleylaughed。``Mr。Jenningswishedtofixitatsixtyaweek，butIinsistedthatfortywasenough，’’saidshe。
Mildredcoloredhighwithembarrassment。HowmuchdidMrs。Brindleyknow？——orhowlittle？Shestammered：``Well，ifMr。Jenningssaysitisallright，I’llcome。’’
``You’llletmeknowto-morrow？YoucantelephoneMr。Jennings。’’
``Yes，I’llletyouknowto-morrow。I’malmostsureI’llcome。Infact，I’mquitesure。And——Ithinkweshallgetonwelltogether。’’
``Wecanhelpeachother，’’saidMrs。Brindley。``I
don’tcareforanythingintheworldbutmusic。’’
``Iwanttobethatway，’’saidMildred。``Ishallbethatway。’’
``It’stheonlysurehappiness——tocareforsomething，forsomeTHING，’’saidMrs。Brindley。``Peopledie，ordisappointone，orbecomeestranged。Butwhenonecentersonsomekindofwork，itgivespleasurealways——moreandmorepleasure。’’
``IamsoafraidIhaven’tvoiceenough，oroftherightkind，’’saidMildred。``Mr。JenningsisgoingtotrymeonSaturday。ReallyI’venorighttosettleanythinguntilhehasgivenhisopinion。’’
Mrs。Brindleysmiledwithhereyesonly，andMildredwondered。
``IfheshouldsaythatIwouldn’tdo，’’shewenton，``I’dnotknowwhichwaytoturn。’’
``Buthe’llnotsaythat，’’saidMrs。Brindley。``Youcansing，can’tyou？Youhavesung？’’
``Oh，yes。’’
``Thenyou’llbeacceptedbyhim。Anditwilltakehimalongtimetofindoutwhetheryou’lldoforaprofessional。’’
``I’mafraidIsingverybadly。’’
``Thatwillnotmatter。You’llsingbetterthanatleasthalfofJennings’spupils。’’
``Thenhedoesn’ttakeonlythoseworthwhile？’’
Mrs。Brindleylookedamused。``Howwouldheliveifhedidthat？It’sateacher’sbusinesstoteach。
Learning——that’sthepupil’slookout。Ifteacherstaughtonlythosewhocouldandwouldlearn，howwouldtheylive？’’
``ThenI’llnotknowwhetherI’lldo！’’exclaimedMildred。
``You’llhavetofindoutforyourself，’’saidMrs。
Brindley。``Noonecantellyou。Anyone’sopinionmightbewrong。Forexample，I’veknownJennings，whoisaverygoodjudge，tobewrong——bothways。’’
Hesitatingly：``Whynotsingforme？I’dliketohear。’’
``Wouldyoutellmewhatyouhonestlythought？’’
saidMildred。
Mrs。Brindleylaughinglyshookherhead。
Mildredlikedherhonesty。``Thenit’dbeuselesstosingforyou，’’saidshe。``I’mnotvainaboutmyvoice。
I’dsimplyliketomakealivingbyit，ifIcould。I’llevenconfessthattherearemanythingsIcareformorethanformusic。DoesthatprovethatIcanneversingprofessionally？’’
``No，indeed，’’Mrs。Brindleyassuredher。``It’dbestrangeifagirlofyouragecaredexclusivelyformusic。Thepassioncomeswiththework，withprogress，success。Andsomeofthegreatest——thatis，themostfamousandbestpaid——singersnevercaremuchaboutmusic，exceptasavanity，andneverunderstandit。A
singermeansapersonbornwithacertainshapeofmouthandthroat，acertainkindofvocalchords。Therestmaybenaturaloracquired。It’stheinstrumentthatmakesthesinger，notbrainsortemperament。’’
``Doletmesingforyou，’’saidMildred。``Ithinkitwillhelpme。’’
BetweenthemtheychosealittleFrenchsong——
``Chansond’Antonine’’——andMrs。Brindleyinsistedonherplayingherownaccompaniment。``Iwishtolisten，’’saidshe，``andIcan’tifIplay。’’
Mildredwassurprisedatherownfreedomfromnervousness。Shesangneitherbetternorworsethanusual——sangintheclearandpleasantsopranowhichsheflatteredherselfwasnotunmusical。Whenshefinishedshesaid：
``That’saboutasIusuallysing。Whatdoyouthink？’’
Mrs。Brindleyreflectedbeforeshereplied：``I
BELIEVEit’sworthtrying。IfIwereyou，Ishouldkeepontrying，nomatterwhatanyonesaid。’’
Mildredwasinstantlydepressed。``YouthinkMr。
Jenningsmayrejectme？’’sheasked。
``IKNOWhewillnot，’’repliedMrs。Brindley。``Notaslongasyoucanpayforthelessons。ButIwasthinkingoftherealthing——ofwhetheryoucouldwinoutasasinger。’’
``Andyoudon’tthinkIcan？’’saidMildred。
``Onthecontrary，Ibelieveyoucan，’’repliedMrs。
Brindley。``Asingermeanssomuchbesidessinging。
Thesingingisthesmallestpartofit。You’llunderstandwhenyougettowork。Icouldn’texplainnow。
ButIcansaythatyououghttogoahead。’’
Mildred，whohadhershareofvanity，hadhopedforsomeenthusiasm。Mrs。Brindley’sjudicialtonewasasevereblow。Shefeltalittleresentful，begantocastaboutforvanity-consolingreasonsforMrs。Brindley’srestraint。``Shemeanswell，’’shesaidtoherself，``butshe’sprobablyjustatinybitjealous。She’snotsoyoungassheoncewas，andshehasn’tthefaintesthopeofeverbeinganythingmorethanapiano-teacher。’’
Mrs。BrindleyshowedthatshehadmorethananinklingofMildred’sframeofmindbygoingontosayinagentle，candidway：``Iwanttohelpyou。SoIshallbecarefulnottoencourageyoutobelievetoomuchinwhatyouhave。Thatwouldpreventyoufromgettingwhatyouneed。Youmustremember，youarenolongeradrawing-roomsinger，butacandidatefortheprofession。That’saverydifferentthing。’’
Mildredsawthatshewasmistaken，thatMrs。Brindleywashonestandfrankandhaddoubtlesstoldhertheexacttruth。Buthervanityremainedsore。Neverbe-
forehadanyonesaidanylessofhersingingthanthatitwaswonderful，marvelous，equaltoagreatdealthatpassedforfineingrandopera。Shehadknownthatthiswasexaggeration，butshehadnotknownhowgrosslyexaggerated。Thus，thisherfirstexperienceoftheprofessionalattitudewasgalling。OnlyherunusualgoodsensesavedherfrombeingangrywithMrs。
Brindley。Anditwasthatsamegoodsensethatmovedherpresentlytotrytolaughatherself。Withabraveattempttosmilegaylyshesaid：
``Youdon’trealizehowyou’vetakenmedown。I
hadnoideaIwassoconceitedaboutmysinging。I
can’ttruthfullysayIlikeyourfrankness，butthere’sapartofmethat’sgratefultoyouforit，andwhenI
getoverfeelinghurt，I’llbegratefulthroughandthrough。’’
Mrs。Brindley’sfacelightedupbeautifully。``You’llDO！’’
shecried。``I’msureyou’lldo。I’vebeenwaitingandwatchingtoseehowyouwouldtakemycriticism。
That’sthetest——howtheytakecriticism。Iftheydon’ttakeitatall，they’llnotgoveryfar，nomatterhowtalentedtheyare。Iftheytakeitasyou’vetakenit，there’shope——greathope。Now，I’mnotafraidtotellyouthatyousangsplendidlyforanamateur——thatyousurprisedme。’’
``Don’tspoilitall，’’saidMildred。``Youwereright。Ican’tsing。’’
``Notforgrandopera，notforcomicoperaeven，’’
repliedMrs。Brindley。``Butyouwillsing，andsingwell，inoneortheother，ifyouwork。’’
``Youreallymeanthat？’’saidMildred。
``Ifyouworkintelligentlyandpersistently，’’saidMrs。Brindley。``That’sabigif——asyou’lldiscoverinayearorso。’’
``You’llsee，’’saidMildredconfidently。``Why，I’venothingelsetodo，andnootherhope。’’
Mrs。Brindley’ssmilehadacertainsadnessinit。
Shesaid：
``It’sthebiggestifinallthisworld。’’
V
ATMrs。Belloc’satelephonemessagefromJenningswasawaitingher。hewouldcallataquarter-pasteightandwoulddetainMissStevensonlyamoment。Andateightfifteenexactlyherangthebell。ThistimeMildredwasprepared。sherefusedtobedisconcertedbyhisabruptmannerandbyhislongsharpnosethatseemedtowarnaway，tothreatenaway，eventothrustawayanyglanceseekingtoinvestigatetherestofhisfaceorhispersonality。Shelookedathimcandidly，calmly，andseeingly。Seeingly。Witheyesthatsawastheyhadneverseenbefore。Perhapsfromthedeathofherfather，certainlyfromthebeginningofSiddall’scourtship，Mildredhadbeenwakingup。Thereisapartofournature——theactiveandaggressivepart——
thatsleepsallourliveslongorbecomesatrophiedifweleadlivesofeaseandsecuredependence。Itistheimportantpartofus，too——thepartthatdeterminescharacter。ThethingthatcompletedtheawakeningofMildredwasheracquaintancewithMrs。Belloc。
Thatpositiveandfinely-poisedladyfascinatedher，influencedherpowerfully——gaveherjustwhatsheneededattheparticularmoment。Thevitalmomentsinlifearenotthecrisesoverwhichshallowpeoplelinger，butarethemomentswherewemetandabsorbedtheideasthatenabledustoweatherthesecrises。TheacquaintancewithMrs。Bellocwasoneofthosevitalmoments。for，Mrs。Belloc’spersonality——herlookandmanner，whatshesaidandthewayshesaidit——wasaproffertoMildredofinvaluablelessonswhichherawakeningcharactereagerlyabsorbed。ShesawJenningsashewas。Shedecidedthathewasofcommonorigin，thathisvanitywascolossalandaquiverthroughoutwithsensitiveness。thathebelongedtothefamiliartypeofNew-Yorkerwhosucceedsbybluffing。Also，shesaworfeltacertainsexlessnessorindifferencetosex——andthisshelaterunderstood。Menwhoseoccupationcompelsthemconstantlytodealwithwomengotooneextremeortheother——eitherbecomeacutelysensitivetowomenaswomenorbecomeutterlyindifferent，unlesstheirhighlydiscriminatedtasteisappealedto——whichcannothappenoften。Jennings，teachingonlywomenbecauseonlywomenspendingmoneytheyhadnotearnedandcouldnotearnwouldtoleratehistermsandhismethods，had，asmuchthroughnecessityasthroughinclination，gonetotheextremeoflackofinterestinallmattersofsex。Onelookathimandthewomanwhohadcomewiththeideaofofferingherselfinfullorpartpaymentforlessonsdroopedininstinctivediscouragement。
JenningshastenedtoexplaintoMildredthatsheneednothesitateaboutclosingwithMrs。Brindley。``Yourlessonsarearrangedfor，’’saidhe。``TherehasbeenputinthePlazaTrustCompanytoyourcreditthesumoffivethousanddollars。Thisgivesyouaboutahundreddollarsaweekforyourboardandotherpersonalexpenses。Ifthatisnotenough，youwillletmeknow。
ButIestimatedthatitwouldbeenough。Idonotthinkitwiseforyoungwomenenteringuponthepreparationforaseriouscareertohavetoomuchmoney。’’
``Itismorethanenough，’’murmuredthegirl。``I
knownothingaboutthosethings，butitseemstome——’’
``Youcanuseaslittleofitasyoulike，’’interruptedJennings，rising。
Mildredfeltasthoughshehadbeencaughtandexposedinahypocriticalprotest。Jenningswasholdingoutsomethingtowardher。Shetookit，andhewenton：
``That’syourcheck-book。Thebankwillsendyoustatementsofyouraccount，andwillnotifyyouwhenanyfurthersumsareadded。Now，Ihavenothingmoretodowithyouraffairs——except，ofcourse，theartisticside——yourdevelopmentasasinger。You’venotforgottenyourappointment？’’
``No，’’saidMildred，likeaprimaryschool-childbeforeaformidableteacher。
``Beprompt，please。Imakenoreductionforlessonswhollyorpartlymissed。Thehalf-hourIshallassigntoyoubelongstoyou。Ifyoudonotuseit，thatisyouraffair。Atfirstyouwillprobablybelikeallwomen——carelessaboutyourappointments，comingwithlessonsunprepared，telephoningexcuses。Butifyouareseriousyouwillsoonfallintotheroutine。’’
``Ishalltrytoberegular，’’murmuredMildred。
Jenningsapparentlydidnothear。``I’monmywaytotheopera-house，’’saidhe。``Oneofmyoldpupilsisappearinginanewrole，andsheisnervous。Goodnight。’’
Oncemorethatswift，quietexit，followedalmostinstantaneouslybythesoundofwheelsrollingaway。
Neverhadsheseensuchrapidityofmotionwithoutlossofdignity。``Yes，he’safraud，’’shesaidtoherself，``buthe’sagoodone。’’
Theideaofacareerhadnowbecomelessindefinite。
Itwasstillwithoutanyattraction——notbecauseofthetoilitinvolved，forthatmadesmallimpressionuponherwhohadneverworkedandhadneverseenanyonework，butbecauseacareermeantcuttingherselfofffromeverythingshehadbeenbroughtuptoregardasfitandproperforalady。Shewasashamedofthis。
shedidnotadmititsexistenceeventoherself，andinhertalkswithBairdaboutthecareershehadprofessedexactlytheoppositeview。Yetthereitwas——norneedshehavebeenashamedofafeelingthatisinstilledintowomenofherclassfrombabyhoodaspartoftheirladylikeeducation。Thecareerhadnotbecomedefinite。
Shecouldnotimagineherselfoutonastageinsomesortofacostume，withapaintedface，singingbeforeanaudience。Still，thecareerwaslessindefinitethanwhenithadnoexistencebeyondStanleyBaird’senthusiasmandherownwhipped-uppretenseofenthusiasm。
Sheshrankfromtheactualstart，butatthesametimewaseagerforit。Inactionbegantofrethernerves，andshewishedtobedoingsomethingtoshowherappreciationofStanleyBaird’sgenerosity。ShetelephonedMrs。Brindleythatshewouldcomeinthemorning，andthenshetoldherlandlady。
Mrs。Bellocwasmorethanregretful。shewasdistressed。Saidshe：``I’vetakenatremendousfancytoyou，andIhatetogiveyouup。I’ddomostanythingtokeepyou。’’
Mildredexplainedthatherworkcompelledhertogo。
``That’sveryinteresting，’’saidMrs。Belloc。``IfI
wereafewyearsyounger，andhadn’tspentallmyenergyinteachingschoolandputtingthroughthatmarriage，I’dtrytogetonthestage，myself。Idon’twanttolosesightofyou。’’
``Oh，I’llcometoseeyoufromtimetotime。’’
``No，youwon’t，’’saidMrs。Bellocpractically。``NomorethanI’dcometoseeyou。Ourliveslieindifferentdirections，andinNewYorkthatmeanswe’llneverhavetimetomeet。Butwemaybethrowntogetheragain，sometime。AsI’vegotatwentyyears’leaseonthishouse，Iguessyou’llhavenotroubleinfindingme。IsupposeIcouldlookyouupthroughProfessorJennings？’’
``Yes，’’saidMildred。Thenimpulsively，``Mrs。
Belloc，there’sareasonwhyI’dliketochangewithoutanyone’sknowingwhathasbecomeofme——Imean，anyonethatmightbe——watchingme。’’
``Iunderstandperfectly，’’saidMrs。BellocwithareadysympathythatmadeMildredappreciatetheadvantagesofthefriendshipofunconventional，knock-
aboutpeople。``Nothingcouldbeeasier。You’vegotnoluggagebutthatbag。I’lltakeituptotheGrandCentralStationandcheckit，andbringthecheckbackhere。Youcansendforitwhenyouplease。’’
``Butwhataboutme？’’saidMildred。
``Iwascomingtothat。Youwalkoutofhere，say，abouthalfanhourafterIgointhetaxi。YouwalkthroughtothecornerofLexingtonAvenueandThirty-
seventhStreet——therearen’tanycabstobehadthere。
I’llbewaitinginthetaxi，andwe’llmakeadashuptheEastSideandIcandropyouatsomequietplaceintheparkandgoon——andyoucanwalktoyournewaddress。Howdoesthatstrikeyou？’’
Mildredexpressedheradmiration。Theplanwascarriedout，asMrs。Belloc——aborngeniusatallformsofintrigue——hadevolveditinperfectiononthespurofthemoment。AstheywentupthefarEastSide，Mrs。Belloc，lookingbackthroughthelittlerearwindow，sawataxiafewblocksbehindthem。``Wehaven’tgiventhemtheslipyet，’’saidshe，``butwewillinthepark。’’TheyenteredtheparkatEastNinetiethStreet，crossedtotheWestDrive。ActingonMrs。
Belloc’sinstructions，themotormanputonfullspeed——
withdueregardtotheoccasionalpoliceman。AtasharpturningneartheMall，whenthetaxicouldbeseenfromneitherdirection，heabruptlystopped。OutsprangMildredanddisappearedbehindthebushescompletelyscreeningthewalkfromthedrive。Atoncethetaxiwasunder-wayagain。She，waitingwherethescreenofbusheswassecurelythick，sawthetaxithathadfollowedthemintheEastSideflashby——inpursuitofMrs。Bellocalone。
Shewasfree——atleastuntilsomemischanceuncoveredhertothelittlegeneral。AtMrs。Brindley’sshefoundanoteawaitingher——anotefromStanleyBaird：
DEARMILDRED：
I’moffortheFarWest，andprobablyshallnotbeintownagainuntiltheearlysummer。Theclubforwardsmymailandrepeatstelegramsasmarked。Goinandwin，anddon’thesitatetocallonmeifyouneedme。Nofalsepride，PLEASE！I’mgettingoutofthewaybecauseit’sobviouslybestforthepresent。
STANLEY。
Asshefinished，hersenseoffreedomwascomplete。
ShehadnotrealizedhowuneasyshewasfeelingaboutStanley。Shedidnotdoubthisgenerosity，didnotdoubtthathegenuinelyintendedtoleaveherfree，andshebelievedthathisdelicacywasworthyofhisgenerosity。Still，shewasconstantlyfearinglestcircumstancesshouldthrustthemboth——asmuchagainsthiswillashers——intoapositioninwhichshewouldhavetochoosebetweenseeming，nottosaybeing，ungrateful，andplayingthehypocrite，perhapsbasely，withhim。
Thelittlegeneraleluded，Stanleyvoluntarilyremoved。
shewasindeedfree。Nowshecouldworkwithanun-
troubledmind，couldshowMrs。Brindleythatintelligentandpersistentwork——her``biggestifinalltheworld’’——wasinfactaverysimplematter。
ShehadnotbeensettledatMrs。Brindley’smanyhoursbeforeshediscoveredthatnotonlywasshefreefromallhindrances，butwastohaveapositiveandgreathelp。Mrs。Brindley’stalentforputtingpeopleattheireasewasnomeredrawing-roomtrick。
ShemadeMildredfeelimmediatelyathome，asshehadnotfeltathomesincehermotherintroducedJamesPresburyintotheirhouseatHangingRock。Mrs。
Brindleywasabsolutelydevoidofpretenses。WhenMildredspoketoherofthisqualityinhershesaid：
``Iowethattomyhusband。Iwasbroughtuplikeeverybodyelse——tobemoreorlessofaposerandahypocrite。Infact，Ithinktherewasalmostnothinggenuineaboutme。Myhusbandtaughtmetobemyself，tobeafraidofnobody’sopinion，toshowmyselfjustasIwasandtoletpeopleseekoravoidmeastheysawfit。Hewasthatsortofmanhimself。’’
``Hemusthavebeenaremarkableman，’’saidMildred。
``Hewas，’’repliedMrs。Brindley。``Butnotattractive——atleastnottome。Ourmarriagewasamistake。Wequarreledwheneverwewerenotatworkwiththemusic。Ifhehadnotdied，weshouldhavebeendivorced。’’Shesmiledmerrily。``Thenhewouldhavehiredmeashismusicalsecretary，andwe’dhavegotonbeautifully。’’
MildredwasstillthinkingofMrs。Brindley’sfreedomfrompretense。``I’veneverdaredbemyself，’’
confessedshe。``Idon’tknowwhatmyselfreallyislike。
IwasthinkingtheotherdayhowforonereasonandanotherI’vebeenahypocriteallmylife。Yousee，I’vealwaysbeenadependent——havealwayshadtopleasesomeoneinordertogetwhatIwanted。’’
``Youcanneverbeyourselfuntilyouhaveanindependentincome，howeversmall，’’saidMrs。Brindley。
``I’vehadthatjoyonlysincemyhusbanddied。It’saswellthatIdidn’thaveitsooner。Oneisthebetterforhavingservedanapprenticeshipatself-repressionandatpretendingtovirtuesonehasnot。Onlythosewhoearntheirfreedomknowhowtouseit。IfIhadhadittenorfifteenyearsagoI’dhavebeenanintolerabletyrant，makingeveryonearoundmeunhappyandthereforemyself。Theidealworldwouldbeonewhereeveryonewasbornfreeandneverknewanythingelse。
Then，noonebeingafraidorhavingtoserve，everyonewouldhavetobeconsiderateinordertogethimselftolerated。’’
``IwonderifIreallyevershallbeabletoearnaliving？’’sighedMildred。
``Youmustdecidethatwhateveryoucanmakeshallbeforyoualiving，’’saidtheolderwoman。``Ihavelivedonmyfixedincome，whichisundertwothousandayear。AndIamreadytodoitagainratherthantolerateanythingoranybodythatdoesnotsuitme。’’
``Ishallhavetobeextremelycareful，’’laughedMildred。``Ishallbeadreadfulhypocritewithyou。’’
Mrs。Brindleysmiled。butunderneath，Mildredsaw——orperhapsfelt——thathernewfriendwasindeednotonetobetrifledwith。Shesaid：
``YouandIwillgeton。We’llleteachotheralone。
Wehavetobemoreorlessintimate，butwe’llneverbefamiliar。’’
AfteratimeshediscoveredthatMrs。Brindley’sfirstnamewasCyrilla，butMrs。BrindleyandMissStevenstheyremainedtoeachotherforalongtime——untilcircumstanceschangedtheiraccidentalintimacyintoenduringfriendship。Nottoanticipate，inthecourseofthatsameconversationMildredsaid：
``Ifthereisanythingaboutme——aboutmylife——
thatyouwishmetoexplain，Ishallbegladtodoso。’’
``IknowallIwishtoknow，’’repliedCyrillaBrindley。``Yourfaceandyourmannerandyourwayofspeakingtellmealltheessentials。’’
``ThenyoumustnotthinkitstrangewhenIsayI
wishnoonetoknowanythingaboutme。’’
``Itwillbeimpossibleforyouentirelytoavoidmeetingpeople，’’saidCyrilla。``Youmusthavesomesimpleexplanationaboutyourself，oryouwillattractattentionanddefeatyourobject。’’
``LeadpeopletobelievethatI’manorphan——perhapsofsomeobscurefamily——whoistryingtogetupintheworld。Thatispracticallythetruth。’’
Mrs。Brindleylaughed。``QuiteenoughforNewYork，’’saidshe。``Itisnotinterestedinfacts。AlltheNew-Yorkerasksofyouis，`Canyoupayyourbillsandhelpmepaymine？’’’
Competentmenarerare。but，thankstotheadvantageofthemalesexinhavingtomakethestruggleforaliving，theyarenotsorareascompetentwomen。
Mrs。BrindleywasthefirstcompetentwomanMildredhadeverknown。Shehadspentbutafewhourswithherbeforeshebegantoappreciatewhatabadatmosphereshehadalwaysbreathed——badforawomanwhohasherwaytomakeintheworld，orindeedforanywomannotwillingtobecontentasmeremoreorlessshiftless，moreorlesshypocriticalandpretentious，dependentandparasite。Mrs。Brindley——wellbredandwelleducated——knewallthelittlematterswhichMildredhadbeentaughttoregardasthewholeofalady’seducation。ButMildredsawthatthesetrifleswerebutatriflingincidentinMrs。Brindley’sknowledge。Sheknewrealthings，thiswomanwhowasathorough-goinghousekeeperandwhotrebledherincomebygivingmusiclessonsafewhoursadaytosuchpupilsasshethoughtworththeteaching。Whenshespoke，shealwayssaidsomethingoneofthefirstthingsnoticedbyMildred，who，beingtoolazytothinkexceptashernaturallygoodmindinsistedonexercisingitself，usuallytalkedsimplytokilltimeandwithoutanyideaofgettinganywhere。ButwhileCyrilla——withoutintheleastintendingit——rousedhertoapainfulsenseofherownlimitations，shedidnotdiscourageher。Mildredalsobegantofeelthatinthisnewatmosphereofideas，ofwork，ofaccomplishment，shewouldrapidlydevelopintoadifferentsortofperson。Itwasextremelyfortunateforher，thoughtshe，thatshewaslivingwithsuchapersonasCyrillaBrindley。Intheoldatmosphere，orwithanytaintofit，shewouldhavebeenunabletobecomeaseriousperson。Shewouldsimplyhavedawdledalong，twaddlingabout``art’’andseriousnessandcareersandsacrifice，contentwiththeamateur’smethodsandtheamateur’sresults——anddeludingherselfthatshewasmakingprogress。Now——
Itwasasdifferentaspublicschoolfromprivateschool——publicschoolwherethemindisrudelystimulated，privateschoolwhereitissedulouslymollycoddled。Shehadcomeoutofthehothouseintotheopen。
AtfirstshethoughtthatJenningswastobeasgreatahelptoherasCyrillaBrindley。Certainlyifevertherewasamanwiththeairofaworkerandaplacewiththeairofaworkshop，thatmanandthatplacewereEugeneJenningsandhisstudioinCarnegieHall。
WhenMildredentered，onthatSaturdaymorning，atexactlyhalf-pastten，Jennings——inaplainifeleganthouse-suit——lookedather，lookedattheclock，stoppedagirlinthemidstofaburstoftremulousnoisymelody。
``Thatwilldo，MissBristow，’’saidhe。``Youhaveneversungitworse。Youdonotimprove。Anotherlessonlikethis，andweshallgobackandbeginalloveragain。’’
Thegirl，afattish，``temperamental’’blonde，burstintotears。
``Kindlytakethatoutintothehall，’’saidJenningscoldly。``Yourtimeisup。WecannotwasteMissStevens’stimewithyourhysterics。’’
MissBristowswitchedfromtearstofury。``Youbrute！Youbeast！’’sheshrieked，andflungherselfoutoftheroom，slammingthedoorafterher。Jenningstookabookfromapileuponatable，openedit，andsetitonamusic-stand。EvidentlyMissBristowwasforgotten——indeed，hadpassedoutofhismindathalf-pasttenexactly，nottoenteritagainuntilsheshouldappearattenonMondaymorning。HesaidtoMildred：
``Now，we’llseewhatyoucando。Begin。’’
``I’malittlenervous，’’saidMildredwithashylaugh。``Ifyoudon’tmind，I’dliketowaittillI’vegotusedtomysurroundings。’’
Jenningslookedather。Thelongsharpnoseseemedtoberappingherontheforeheadlikeawood-
pecker’sbeakonthebarkofthetree。``Begin，’’hesaid，pointingtothebook。
Mildredflushedangrily。``IshallnotbeginuntilICANbegin，’’saidshe。Thetimetoshowthismanthathecouldnottreatherbrutallywasattheoutset。
Jenningsopenedthedoorintothehall。``Goodday，MissStevens，’’hesaidwithhisabruptbow。
Mildredlookedathim。helookedather。Herliptrembled，thehottearsfloodedandblindedhereyes。
Shewentunsteadilytothemusic-standandtriedtoseethenotesoftheexercises。Jenningsclosedthedoorandseatedhimselfatthefarendoftheroom。Shebegan——aridiculousattempt。Shestopped，grittedherteeth，beganagain。Oncemoretheresultwasabsurd。butthistimeshewasabletokeepon，notimproving，butmaintainingherinitialoff-keyquavering。
Shestopped。
``Yousee，’’saidshe。``ShallIgoon？’’
``Don’tstopagainuntilItellyouto，please，’’saidhe。
ShestaggeredandstumbledandsomersaultedthroughtwopagesofDO-RE-ME-FA-SOL-LA-SI。Thenhehelduphisfinger。
``Enough，’’saidhe。
Silence，anawfulsilence。SherecalledwhatMrs。
Bellochadtoldherabouthim，whatMrs。Brindleyhadimplied。Butshegotnoconsolation。Shesaidtimidly：
``Really，Mr。Jennings，Icandobetterthanthat。
Won’tyouletmetryasong？’’
``Godforbid！’’saidhe。``Youcan’tstand。Youcan’tbreathe。Youcan’topenyourmouth。Naturally，youcan’tsing。’’
Shedroppedtoachair。
``Takethebook，andgooverthesamething，sitting，’’saidhe。
Shebegantoremoveherwraps。
``Justasyouare，’’hecommanded。``Trytoforgetyourself。Trytoforgetme。TrytoforgetwhatabruteIam，andwhatawonderfulsingeryouare。Justopenyourmouthandthrowthenotesout。’’
Shewasrosywithrage。Shewasreckless。Shesang。Attheendofthreepageshestoppedherwithanenthusiastichand-clapping。``Good！Good！’’hecried。``I’lltakeyou。I’llmakeasingerofyou。
Yes，yes，there’ssomethingtoworkon。’’
Thedooropened。Atall，thinwomanwithmanyjewelsandasuperbfurwrapcameglidingin。Jenningslookedattheclock。Thehandspointedtoeleven。
SaidhetoMildred：
``Takethatbookwithyou。Practicewhatyou’vedoneto-day。Learntokeepyourmouthopen。We’llgointothatfurthernexttime。’’Hewasholdingthedooropenforher。Asshepassedout，sheheardhimsay：
``Ah，Mrs。Roswell。We’llgoatthatthirdsongfirst。’’
Thedoorclosed。Reviewingallthathadoccurred，MildreddecidedthatshemustreviseheropinionofJennings。Amoney-makerhenodoubtwas。Andwhynot？Didhenothavetolive？Butateacheralso，andagreatteacher。Hadhenotdestroyedhervanityatoneblow，demolishedit？——yetwithoutdiscouragingher。Andhewentstraighttothebottomofthings——
verydifferentfromanyoftheteacherssheusedtohavewhenshewasposingindrawing-roomsasapersonwithavoiceequaltothemostdifficultopera，ifonlysheweren’taladyandthereforenotforcedtobeaprofessionalsingingperson。Yes，agreatteacher——andindeadlyearnest。Hewouldpermitnotrifling！Howshewouldhavetowork！
Andshewenttoworkwithanenergyshewouldnothavebelievedshepossessed。Heinstructedherminutelyinhowtostand，inhowtobreathe，inhowtoopenhermouthandkeepitopen，inhowtorelaxherthroatandleaveitrelaxed。Hefilledeverysecondofherhalf-hour。shehadneverbeforerealizedhowmuchtimehalfanhourwas，howusecouldbemadeofeveryoneofitseighteenhundredseconds。Shewenttohearotherteachersgivelessons，andsheunderstoodwhyJenningscouldgetsuchprices，couldtreathispupilsashesawfit。Shebecameanextravagantadmirerofhimasateacher，thoughthimagenius，feltconfidentthathewouldmakeagreatsingerofher。Withthesecondlessonshebegantoprogressrapidly。Inafewweekssheamazedherself。Atlastshewasreallysinging。
Notinagreatway，butinthebeginningsofagreatway。Hervoicehadmanytimesthepowerofherdrawing-roomdays。Hernoteswerefullandround，andcamewithoutaneffort。Herformerideasofwhatconstitutedfacialandvocalexpressionnowseemedridiculoustoher。Shewasnowsingingwithoutmakingthosedreadfulfaceswhichshehadoncethoughtcharmingandnecessary。Herlowerregister，alwaysherbest，wasalmostperfect。Hermiddleregister——thetestpartofavoice——wasshowingsignsofstrengthandsteadinessandevenness。Andshewasfastgettingarealupperregister，asdistinguishedfromtheforcedandshriekyhighnotesthatpassasanupperregisterwithmostsingers，evenoperasingers。Afteramonthofthismarvelousforwardmarch，shesangforMrs。Brindley——sangthesamesongshehadessayedattheirfirstmeeting。Whenshefinished，Mrs。Brindleysaid：
``Yes，you’vedonewonders。I’vebeennoticingyourimprovementasyoupracticed。Youcertainlyhaveaverydifferentvoiceandmethodfromthoseyouhadamonthago，’’andsoonthroughaboutfiveminutesofcriticalanddiscriminatingpraise。
Mildredlistened，wonderingwhyherdissatisfaction，herirritation，increasedasMrs。Brindleypraisedonandon。BeyondquestionCyrillawassincere，andwassayingevenmorethanMildredhadhopedshewouldsay。Yet——Mildredsatmoodilymeasuringoffoctavesonthekeyboardofthepiano。Ifshehadbeenlookingatherfriend’sfaceshewouldhaveflaredoutinanger。forCyrillaBrindleywastakingadvantageofherabstractiontoobserveherwithfriendlysympathyandsadness。Presentlysheconcealedthiscandidexpressionandsaid：
``Youaresatisfiedwithyourprogress，aren’tyou，MissStevens？’’
Mildredflaredupangrily。``Certainly！’’repliedshe。``HowcouldIfailtobe？’’
Mrs。Brindleydidnotanswer——perhapsbecauseshethoughtnoanswerwasneededorexpected。ButtoMildredhersilencesomehowseemedadenial。
``Ifyoucanonlykeepwhatyou’vegot——andgoon，’’saidMrs。Brindley。
``Oh，Ishall，neverfear，’’retortedMildred。
``ButIdofear，’’saidMrs。Brindley。``Ithinkit’salwayswelltofearuntilsuccessisactuallywon。Andthenthere’stheawfulfearofnotbeingabletoholdit。’’
Afteramoment’ssilenceMildred，whocouldnothideawayresentmentagainstonesheliked，said：``Whyaren’tYOUsatisfied，Mrs。Brindley？’’
``ButIamsatisfied，’’protestedCyrilla。``OnlyitmakesmeafraidtoseeYOUsowellsatisfied。I’veseenthatofteninpeoplefirststarting，andit’salwaysdangerous。Yousee，mydear，you’vegotastraight-awayhundredmilestowalk。Can’tyouseethatitwouldbepossibleforyoutobecometoomuchelatedbythewayyouwalkedthefirstpartofthefirstmile？’’
``Whydoyoutrytodiscourageme？’’saidMildred。
Mrs。Brindleycolored。``IdoitbecauseIwanttosaveyoufromdespairalittlelater，’’saidshe。``Butthatisfoolishofme。Ishallonlyirritateyouagainstme。I’llnotdoitagain。Andpleasedon’taskmyopinion。Ifyoudo，Ican’thelpshowingexactlywhatIthink。’’
``Thenyoudon’tthinkI’vedonewell？’’criedMildred。
``Indeedyouhave，’’repliedCyrillawarmly。
``ThenIdon’tunderstand。WhatDOyoumean？’’
``I’lltellyou，andthenI’llstopandyoumustnotaskmyopinionagain。Welivetooclosetogethertobeabletoaffordtocriticizeeachother。WhatImeantwasthis：Youhavedonewellthefirstpartofthegreattaskthat’sbeforeyou。Ifyouhaddoneitanylesswell，itwouldhavebeenfollyforyoutogoon。’’
``Thatis，whatI’vedonedoesn’tamounttoanything？Mr。Jenningsdoesn’tagreewithyou。’’
``Doubtlesshe’sright，’’saidMrs。Brindley。``Atanyrate，weallagreethatyouhaveshownthatyouhaveavoice。’’
ShesaidthissosimplyandheartilythatMildredcouldnotbutbemollified。Mrs。BrindleychangedthesubjecttothesongMildredhadsung，andMildredstoppedpuzzlingoverthemysteryofwhatshehadmeantbyherapparentlyenthusiasticwords，whichhadyetdiffusedachillatmosphereofdoubt。
Shewasdoingherscalessowellthatshebecameimpatientofsuch``tiresomechild’splay。’’AndpresentlyJenningsgavehersongs，anddidnotdiscourageherwhenshetalkedofroles，ofgettingseriouslyatwhat，afterall，sheintendedtodo。Thentherecameaweekofvileweather，andMildredcaughtacold。Sheneglectedit。Hervoicelefther。Hertonsilsswelled。
Shehadabadattackofulceratedsorethroat。Fornearlythreeweeksshecouldnottakeasingleoneofthelessons，whichwere，nevertheless，paidfor。Jenningsrebukedhersharply。
``Asingerhasnorighttobesick，’’saidhe。
``Youhaveacoldyourself，’’retortedshe。
``ButIamnotasinger。I’venothingthatinterfereswithmywork。’’
``It’simpossiblenottotakecold，’’saidMildred。
``Youareunreasonablewithme。’’
Heshruggedhisshoulders。``Gogetwell，’’hesaid。
ThesorethroatfinallyyieldedtothetreatmentofDr。Hicks，thethroat-specialist。Hisbillwasseventy-
fivedollars。Butwhiletheswellinginthetonsilssubsideditdidnotdepart。Shecouldtakelessonsagain。
Somedaysshesangaswellasever，andonthosedaysJenningswascharming。Otherdaysshesangatrociously，andJenningstreatedherasifsheweredoingitdeliberately。Athirdandworsestatewasthatofthedayswhensheinthesamehalf-houralternatelysangwellandbadly。OnthosedaysJenningsactedlikealunatic。Heravedupanddownthestudio，allbutswearingather。Atfirstshewasafraidofhim——
witheredunderhisscorn，fearedhewouldthrowopenhisdoorandorderheroutandforbidherevertoenteragain。Butgraduallyshecametounderstandhim——
notenoughtoloseherfearofhimaltogether，butenoughtolosethefearofhisgivingupsoprofitableapupil。
ThetruthwasthatJennings，likeeverymanwhosucceedsatanythinginthisworld，operateduponasystemtowhichherigidlyadhered。Hewasamanofsmalltalentandknowledge，butofgreat，persistenceandnotalittlecommonsense。Hehadtriedtobeasinger，hadfailedbecausehisvoicewassmallandunreliable。Hehadadoptedteachingsingingasameansofgettingaliving。Hehadlearnedjustenoughaboutittoenablehimtoteachthetechnicalelements——whatissetdowninthebooks。Byobservingotherandolderteachershehadgottogetherateachingsystemthatwasasgood——andasbad——asany，andthishedubbedtheJenningsMethodandproceededtoexploitastheonlyoneworthwhile。Whenthatmethodwasworkedoutandperfected，heceasedlearning，ceasedtogiveathoughttotheprofessionalsideofhisprofession，justasmostprofessionalmendo。HewouldhaveresentedasuggestionoranewideaasanattackupontheJenningsMethod。Theoverwhelmingmajorityofthehumanrace——indeed，allbutasmallhandful——havethispassionforstagnation，thisferocityagainstchange。
Itisinlargepartduetolaziness。foranewideameansworkinlearningitandinunlearningtheoldideasthathavebeentrueuntiltheunwelcomeadventofthenew。Inpartalsothisresistancetothenewideaarisesfromafearthatthenewidea，iftolerated，willputoneoutofbusiness，willsethimadriftwithoutanymeansofsupport。Thecoachmanhatestheautomobile，thehand-workerhatesthemachine，theorthodoxpreacherhatestheheretic，thepoliticianhatesthereformer，thedoctorhatesthebacteriologistandthechemist，theoldwomanhatesthenew——alltheseinvaryingproportionsaccordingtothedegreeinwhichtheiconoclastattackslazinessorlivelihood。Finallyweallhateanyandallnewideasbecausetheyseemtoimplythatwe，whohaveheldtheoldideas，havebeenignorantandstupidinsodoing。Anewideaisanattackuponthevanityofeveryonewhohasbeenapartisanoftheoldideasandtheirestablishedorder。
Jennings，thoroughlyhumaninthusclosinghismindtoallideasabouthisprofession，wasequallyhumaninthathehadhismindandhissensesopenedfullwidthtoideasonhowtomakemoremoney。IftherehadbeenmoneyinnewideasaboutteachingsingingJenningswouldnothaveclosedtothem。Butthemoneywasallinstudyingandlearninghowbettertohandlethewomen——theywereallwomenwhocametohimforinstruction。Hiscommonsensewarnedhimattheoutsetthattheobviouslyeasygoingteacherwouldnotlongretainhispupils。Ontheotherhand，hesawthatthereallysevereteacherwouldnotretainhispupils，either。
Whowerethesepupils？Inthefirstplace，theywereallignorant，forpeoplewhoalreadyknowdonotgotoschooltolearn。Theyhadtheuniversaldelusionthatateachercanteach。Thefactisthatateacherisawell。Somewellsarefull，othersalmostdry。Somearesoarrangedthatwatercannotbegotfromthem，othershaveattachmentsofvariouskinds，makingthedrawingofwatermoreorlesseasy。Butnotfromthebestwellwiththelatestpumpattachmentcanonegetadrinkunlessonedoesthedrinkingoneself。Ateacherisrarelyawell。Thepupilmustnotonlydrawthewater，butalsodrinkit，mustnotonlyteachhimself，butalsolearnwhatheteaches。Nowweareallofusbornthirstyforknowledge，andnearlyallofusarebornbothcapableofteachingourselvesandcapableoflearningwhatweteach，thatis，ofretainingandassimilatingit。Thereissuchathingasartificiallyfeedingthemind，justasthereissuchathingasartificiallyfeedingthebody。butwhileeveryoneknowsthatartificialfeedingofthebodyisasuccessonlytoalimitedextentandforabriefperiod，everyonebelievesthattheartificialfeedingofthemindisnotonlythebestmethod，buttheonlymethod。Nordoesthediscoverythatthemindissimplythebrain，issimplyapartofthebody，subjecttothebody’slaws，seemmateriallytohavelessenedthisfatuousdelusion。
SomeofJennings’spupils——notmorethantwooftheforty-oddwereingenuineearnest。thatis，thosetwowereeducatingthemselvestobeprofessionalsingers，weredeterminedsotobe，hadlimitedtimeandmeansandendlesscapacityforwork。Othersoftheforty——
abouthalf-thoughttheywereserious，thoughinfacttheideaofacareerwasmoreorlesshazy。Theyweresimplytakinglessonsandtoilingaimlesslyalong，notlessaimlesslybecausetheyindulgedinvaguetalkandvaguerthoughtaboutacareer。Therest——theotherhalfoftheforty——wereamusingthemselvesbytakingsinginglessons。Itkilledtime，itgavethemafeelingofdoingsomething，itgavethemareputationofbeingseriouspeopleandnotmereidlers，itgavethemanexcuseforneglectingthedomesticdutieswhichtheyregardedasdegrading——probablybecausetodothemwellrequiresstudyandearnest，hardwork。TheJenningssinginglesson，atfifteendollarsahalf-hour，wasratheranexpensivehypocrisy。butthewomenwhouseditasacloakforidlenessasutterasthemereyawnersandbridgersandshoppershadrichhusbandsorfathers。
ThusitappearsthattheJenningsSchoolwasaperfectmicrocosm，asthescientistswouldsay，ofthehumanrace——theseriousveryfew，toilingmoreorlesssuccessfullytowardadefinitegoal。themany，compelledtodosomething，andimaginingthemselvesseriousandpurposefulastheytoiledalongtowardnothinginpar-
ticularbutthenextlesson——thatis，thenextday’sappointedtask。theutterlyidle，fancyingthemselvesbusyandimportantwhenintruththeyweresimplyafraudandanexpense。
Jenningsgotverylittlefromthedeeplyandgenuinelyserious。Oneofthemhetaughtfree，takingpromissorynotesforthelessons。Butheheldontothembecausewhentheyfinallydidteachthemselvestosingandarrivedatfame，hiswouldbepartoftheglory——andglorymeantmoreandmorepupilsofthepayingkinds。Hislargeincomecamefromtheothertwokindsofpupils，thelargerpartofitfromthekindthathadnoseriousnessinthem。Hisproblemwashowtokeepallthesepayingpupilsandalsokeephisreputationasateacher。InsolvingthatproblemheevolvedamethodthatwasthetrueJennings’smethod。
NotinallNewYork，filledasitiswithpeoplelivingandlivingwelluponthemanipulationoftheweaknessesoftheirfellowbeings——notinallNewYorkwasthereanadroitermanipulatorthanEugeneJennings。Hewasharshtobrutalitywhenhesawfittobeso——or，rather，whenhedeemeditwisetobeso。Yetneverhadhelostapayingpupilthroughhisharshness。
