the price she paid-第47章

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‘‘You　told　me　one　day　that　you　had　at　one　time　taught　singing；''　continued　she。

‘‘Until　I　was　starved　out？''　replied　he。　　‘‘I　told　people　the　truth。　　If　they　could　not　sing　I　said　so。　　If　they　sang　badly　I　told　them　why；　and　it　was　always　the　upset　stomach；　the　foolish　food；　and　people　will　not　take　care　about　food。　　They　will　eat　what　they　please；　and　they　say　eating　is　good　for　them；　and　that　anyone　who　opposes　them　is　a　crank。　　So　most　of　my　pupils　left；　except　those　I　taught　for　nothingand　they　did　not　heed　me；　and　came　to　nothing。''

‘‘You　showed　me　in　ten　minutes　one　day　how　to　cure　my　worst　fault。　　I've　sung　better；　more　naturally　ever　since。''

‘‘You　could　sing　like　the　birds。　　You　doalmost。　You　could　be　taught　to　sing　as　freely　and　sweetly　and　naturally　as　a　flower　gives　perfume。　　That　is　YOUR　divine　gift；　young　lady　song　as　pure　and　fresh　as　a　bird's　song　raining　down　through　the　leaves　from　the　tree…top。''

‘‘I　have　no　money。　　I've　got　to　get　it；　and　I　shall　get　it；''　continued　Mildred。　　‘‘I　want　you　to　teach　me　at　any　hour　that　you　are　free。　　And　I　want　to　know　how　much　you　will　charge；　so　that　I　shall　know　how　much　to　get。''

‘‘Two　dollars　a　lesson。　　Or；　if　you　take　six　lessons　a　week；　ten　dollars。　　Those　were　my　terms。　　I　could　not　take　less。''

‘‘It　is　too　little；''　said　Mildred。　　‘‘The　poorest　kinds　of　teachers　get　five　dollars　an　hourand　teach　nothing。''

‘‘Two　dollars；　ten　dollars　a　week；''　replied　he。　　‘‘It　is　the　most　I　ever　could　get。　　I　will　not　take　more　from　you。''

‘‘It　is　too　little；''　said　she。　　‘‘But　I'll　not　insist　for　obvious　reasons。　　Now；　if　you'll　give　me　your　home　address；　I'll　go。　　When　I　get　the　money；　I'll　write　to　you。''

‘‘But　wait！''　cried　he；　as　she　rose　to　depart。　　‘‘Why　so　hurried？　　Let　us　see。　　Take　of　the　wrap。　　Step　be…　hind　the　screen　and　loosen　your　corset。　　Perhaps　even　you　could　take　it　off？''

‘‘Not　without　undressing；''　said　Mildred。　　‘‘But　I　can　do　that　if　it's　necessary。''　　She　laughed　queerly。　‘‘From　this　time　on　I'll　do　ANYTHING　that's　necessary。''

‘‘No；never　mind。　　The　dress　of　womanof　your　kind　of　women。　　It　is　not　serious。''　　He　laughed　grimly。　　‘‘As　for　the　other　kind；　their　dress　is　the　only　serious　thing　about　them。　　It　is　a　mistake　to　think　that　women　who　dress　badly　are　serious。　　My　experience　has　been　that　they　are　the　most　foolish　of　all。　　Fashionable　dressit　is　part　of　a　woman's　tools。　　It　shows　that　she　is　good　at　her　business。　　The　women　who　try　to　dress　like　men；　they　are　good　neither　at　men's　business　nor　at　women's。''

This；　while　Mildred　was　behind　the　screen；　loosening　her　corsetthough；　in　fact；　she　wore　it　so　loose　at　all　times　that　she　inconvenienced　herself　simply　to　show　her　willingness　to　do　as　she　was　told。　　When　she　came　out；　Moldini　put　her　through　a　rigid　physical　examination　made　her　breathe　while　he　held　one　hand　on　her　stomach；　the　other　on　her　back；　listened　at　her　heart；　opened　wide　her　throat　and　peered　down；　thrust　his　long　strong　fingers　deep　into　the　muscles　of　her　arms；　her　throat；　her　chest；　until　she　had　difficulty　in　not　crying　out　with　pain。

‘‘The　foundation　is　there；''　was　his　verdict。　　‘‘You　have　a　good　body；　good　muscles；　but　flabbya　lady's　muscles；　not　an　opera　singer's。　　And　you　are　stiff　not　so　stiff　as　when　you　first　came　here；　but　stiff　for　a　professional。　　Ah；　we　must　go　at　this　scientifically；　thoroughly。''

‘‘You　will　teach　me　to　breatheand　how　to　produce　my　voice　naturally？''

‘‘I　will　teach　you　nothing；''　replied　he。　　‘‘I　will　tell　you　what　to　do；　and　you　will　teach　yourself。　　You　must　get　strongstrong　in　the　supple　wayand　then　you　will　sing　as　God　intended。　　The　way　to　sing；　dear　young　lady；　is　to　sing。　　Not　to　breathe　artificially；　and　make　faces；　and　fuss　with　your　throat；　but　simply　to　drop　your　mouth　and　throat　open　and　let　it　out！''

Mildred　produced　from　her　hand…bag　the　Keith　paper。　　‘‘What　do　YOU　think　of　that？''　she　asked。

Presently　he　looked　up　from　his　reading。　　‘‘This　part　I　have　seen　before；''　said　he。　　‘‘It　is　Lucia　Rivi's。　Her　cousin；　Lotta　Drusini；　showed　it　to　meshe　was　a　great　singer　also。''

‘‘You　approve　of　it？''

‘‘If　you　will　follow　that　for　two　years；　faithfully；　you　will　be　securely　great；　and　then　you　will　follow　it　all　your　singing　lifeand　it　will　be　long。　　But　remember；　dear　young　lady；　I　said　IF　you　follow　it；　and　I　said　faithfully。　　I　do　not　believe　you　can。''

‘‘Why　not？''　said　Mildred。

‘‘Because　that　means　self…denial；　colossal　self…denial。　You　love　things　to　eatyes？''

Mildred　nodded。

‘‘We　all　do；''　said　Moldini。　　‘‘And　we　hate　routine；　and　we　like　foolish；　aimless　little　pleasures　of　all　kinds。''

‘‘And　it　will　be　two　years　before　I　can　try　grand　operacan　make　my　living？''　said　Mildred　slowly。

‘‘I　did　not　say　that。　　I　said；　before　you　would　be　great。　　No；　you　can　sing；　I　think；　inwait。''

Moldini　flung　rapidly　through　an　enormous　mass　of　music　on　a　large　table。　　‘‘Ah；　here！''　he　cried；　and　he　showed　her　a　manuscript　of　scales。　　‘‘Those　two　papers。　It　does　not　look　much？　　Well；　I　have　made　it　up；　myself。　　And　when　you　can　sing　those　two　papers　perfectly；　you　will　be　a　greater　singer　than　any　that　ever　lived。''　　He　laughed　delightedly。　　‘‘Yes；　it　is　all　therein　two　pages。　　But　do　not　weep；　dear　lady；　because　you　will　never　sing　them　perfectly。　　You　will　do　very　well　if　　Always　that　if；　remember！　　Now；　let　us　see。　　Take　this；　sit　in　the　chair；　and　begin。　　Don't　bother　about　me。　　I　expect　nothing。　　Just　do　the　best　you　can。''

Desperation；　when　it　falls　short　of　despair；　is　the　best　word　for　achievement。　　Mildred's　voice；　especially　at　the　outset；　was　far　from　perfect　condition。　　Her　high　notes；　which　had　never　been　developed　properly；　were　almost　bad。　　But　she　acquitted　herself　admirably　from　the　standpoint　of　showing　what　her　possibilities　were。　　And　Moldini；　unkempt；　almost　unclean；　but　as　natural　and　simple　and　human　a　soul　as　ever　paid　the　penalties　of　poverty　and　obscurity　and　friendlessness　for　being　natural　and　simple　and　human；　exactly　suited　her　peculiar　temperament。　　She　knew　that　he　liked　her；　that　he　believed　in　her；　she　knew　that　he　was　as　sympathetic　toward　her　as　her　own　self；　that　there　was　no　meanness　anywhere　in　him。　　So　she　sang　like　a　bird　a　bird　that　was　not　too　well　in　soul　or　in　body；　but　still　a　bird　out　in　the　sunshine；　with　the　airs　of　spring　cheer…　ing　his　breast　and　its　foliage　gladdening　his　eyes。　　He　kept　her　at　it　for　nearly　an　hour。　　She　saw　that　he　was　pleased；　that　he　had　thought　out　some　plan　and　was　bursting　to　tell　her；　but　had　forbidden　himself　to　speak　of　it。　　He　said：

‘‘You　say　you　have　no　money？''

‘‘No；　but　I　shall　get　it。''

‘‘You　may　have　to　pay　high　for　ityes？''

She　colored；　but　did　not　flinch。　　‘‘At　worst；　it　will　be　unpleasant；　but　that's　all。''

‘‘Wait　onetwo　daysuntil　you　hear　from　me。　I　mayI　do　not　say　will；　but　mayget　it。　　Yes；　I　who　have　nothing。''　　He　laughed　gayly。　　‘‘And　we　you　and　Iwe　will　divide　the　spoils。''　　Gravely。　　‘‘Do　not　misunderstand。　　That　was　my　little　joke。　　If　I　get　the　money　for　you　it　will　be　quite　honorable　and　businesslike。　Sowait；　dear　young　lady。''

As　she　was　going；　she　could　not　resist　saying：

‘‘You　are　SURE　I　can　sing？IF；　of　coursealways　the　if。''

‘‘It　is　not　to　be　doubted。''

‘‘How　well；　do　you　think？''

‘‘You　mean　how　many　dollars　a　night　well？　　You　mean　as　well　as　this　great　singer　or　that？　　I　do　not　know。　　And　you　are　not　to　compare　yourself　with　anyone　but　yourself。　　You　will　sing　as　well　as　Mildred　Gower　at　her　best。''

For　some　reason　her　blood　went　tingling　through　her　veins。　　If　she　had　dared　she　would　have　kissed　him。



X


THAT　same　afternoon　Donald　Keith；　arrived　at　the　top　of　Mrs。　Belloc's　steps；　met　Mildred　coming　out。　Seeing　their　greeting；　one　would　have　thought　they　had　seen　each　other　but　a　few　minutes　before　or　were　casual　acquaintances。　　Said　she：

‘‘I'm　going　for　a　walk。''

‘‘Let's　take　the　taxi；''　said　he。

There　it　stood　invitingly　at　the　curb。　　She　felt　tired。　She　disliked　walking。　　She　wished　to　sit　beside　him　and　be　whirled　awayout　of　the　noisy　part　of　the　city；　up　where　the　air　was　clean　and　where　there　were　no　crowds。　But　she　had　begun　the　regimen　of　Lucia　Rivi。　　She　hesitated。　　What　matter　if　she　began　now　or　put　off　beginning　until　after　this　one　last　drive？

‘‘No；　we　will　walk；''　said　she。

‘‘But　the　streets　are　in　frightful　condition。''

She　thrust　out　a　foot　covered　with　a　new　and　shiny　storm…rubber。

‘‘Let's　drive　to　the　park　then。　　We'll　walk　there。''

‘‘No。　　If　I　get　into　the　taxi；　I'll　not　get　out。　　Send　it　away。''

When　they　were　moving　afoot　up　Madison　Avenue；　he　said：　　‘‘What's　the　matter？　　This　isn't　like　you。''

‘‘I've　come　to　my　senses；''　replied　she。　　‘‘It　may　be　too　late；　but　I'm　going　to　see。''

‘‘When　I　called　on　Mrs。　Brindley　the　other　day；''　said　he；　‘‘she　had　your　note；　saying　that　you　were　going　into　musical　comedy　with　Crossley。''

‘‘That's　over；''　said　she。　　‘‘I　lost　my　voice；　and　I　lost　my　job。''

‘‘So　I　heard；''　said　he。　　‘‘I　know　Crossley。　　I　dropped　in　to　see　him　this　morning；　and　he　told　me　about　a　foolish；　fashionable　girl　who　made　a　bluff　at　going　on　the　stagehe　said　she　had　a　good　voice　and　was　a　swell　looker；　but　proved　to　be　a　regular　‘four…　flusher。'　I　recognized　you。''

‘‘Thanks；''　said　she　dryly。

‘‘So；　I　came　to　see　you。''

She　inquired　about　Mrs。　Brindley　and　then　about　Stanley　Baird。　　Finding　that　he　was　in　Italy；　she　inquired：　　‘‘Do　you　happen　to　know　his　address？''

‘‘I'll　get　it　and　send　it　to　you。　　He　has　taken　a　house　at　Monte　Carlo　for　the　winter。''

‘‘And　you？''

‘‘I　shall　stay　hereI　think。''

‘‘You　may　join　him？''

‘‘It　depends''he　looked　at　her‘‘upon　you。''

He　could　put　a　wonderful　amount　of　meaning　into　a　slight　inflection。　　She　strugglednot　in　vainto　keep　from　changing　expression。

‘‘You　realize　now　that　the　career　is　quite　hopeless？''　said　he。

She　did　not　answer。

‘‘You　do　not　like　the　stage　life？''

‘‘No。''

‘‘And　the　stage　life　does　not　like　you？''

‘‘No。''

‘‘Your　voice　lacks　both　strength　and　stability？''

‘‘Yes。''

‘‘And　you　have　found　the　one　way　by　which　you　could　get　onand　you　don't　like　it？''

‘‘Crossley　told　you？''　said　she；　the　color　flaring。

‘‘Your　name　was　not　mentioned。　　You　may　not　believe　it；　but　Crossley　is　a　gentleman。''

She　walked　on　in　silence。

‘‘I　did　not　expect　your　failure　to　come　so　soonor　in　quite　that　way；''　he　went　on。　　‘‘I　got　Mrs。　Brindley　to　exact　a　promise　from　you　that　you'd　let　her　know　about　yourself。　　I　called　on　Mrs。　Belloc　one　day　when　you　were　out；　and　gave　her　my　confidence　and　got　hers　and　assured　myself　that　you　were　in　good　hands。　Crossley's　tale　gave　mea　shock。　　I　came　at　once。''

‘‘Then　you　didn't　abandon　me　to　my　fate；　as　I　thought？''

He　smiled　in　his　strange　way。　　‘‘I？when　I　loved　you？　　Hardly。''

‘‘Then　you　did　interest　yourself　in　me　because　you　caredprecisely　as　I　said；''　laughed　she。

‘‘And　I　should　have　given　you　up　if　you　had　succeededprecisely　as　I　said；''　replied　he。

‘‘You　wished　me　to　fail？''

‘‘I　wished　you　to　fail。　　I　did　everything　I　could　to　help　you　to　succeed。　　I　even　left　you　absolutely　alone；　set　you　in　the　right　waythe　only　way　in　which　anyone　can　win　success。''

‘‘Yes；　you　made　me　throw　away　the　crutche