He was kneeling, withhis hand over his face. She
walked up and down oppositethe Arts Building, watching the lights in Sebastians
windows.
Something in the way he said this made Lucy feel a
trifle downcast. His amiability puzzled Lucy, and rather discouraged
her.
Sebastian was notwith him because she dreaded the
Chicago winter climate.
It was an easierentrance than she had hoped
for.
Lucy hadnever heard anything sung with such
elevation of style.
The Schneff bakery was an old German landmark in
that part of thecity.
Lucy felt discouraged and alonein the
world.
What made him different from
othersingers?
She thoughtshe remembered plaster casts in the Art
Museum with just suchcurls. But there was something bleak and unnatural in hissmile,
and Lucy hurried away. The next morning, a little before the hour announced, Lucy
stoleinto the church. In itscalmness and serenity there was a kind of large
enlightenment, likedaybreak.
The piano stood at the front,between two
windows.
The next morning, a little before the hour
announced, Lucy stoleinto the church.
Everyday his concert agent, Morris Weisbourn,
called him up as soon ashis wire was open.
Evidently nothing ever camenear Sebastian to
tarnish his personal elegance. He rang forthe elevator, and she was taken up to the
sixth storey.
Lucy stuck the telegram in her mirrorand hurriedly
began to dress.
To this day she could notremember how she ever got
to Auerbachs studio, but she arrivedthere.
Neither of us had looked forward to this American
seasonwith much pleasure. Have you ever played the piano accompaniment?
For an ordinary singer she thought she could do
very well;but she could never play for him. The large man in the double-breasted
morning coat stood before herand smiled encouragingly. Have you ever played the
piano accompaniment?
Sebastian, and he spoke of Sebastian in a tone that
wasobjectionably familiar. When they hadmet at the door, the light was behind him
and she could not see hiseyes. In recognition of theiraid he hangs his oar as a
votive offering in the porch of theirtemple. After the holidaysyou must come to my
studio and well try an hours practicetogether.
The first number was a Schubert song she had never
heard or evenseen.
If she had encouraged him, he would have talked to
her too freelyabout Mrs.
Yet she went away feeling that the otherman, whom
she used to see secretly, was his real self. If she had encouraged him, he would
have talked to her too freelyabout Mrs. She felt that he had dislikedher instantly,
as she had him. Have you ever played the piano accompaniment?