"I don't," interrupted Nan laughing. "I know the kind. I suppose he will keep right on for the rest of his life as he has begun, varying his performance sometimes by bringing in a bit of improvisation, terrible improvisation which has no rhyme, reason, melody or anything else. I know such a person who blandly told me she sometimes altered Chopin and Beethoven to suit herself. Fancy! Oh, I know your man will cheerfully keep on, not knowing the difference between good music and bad, and because he has always associated with rag-time people who think any one who plays anything heavier than Hiawatha must have a standard so high that ordinary mortals cannot venture to criticise the performance."
"I perceive you are acquainted with the species. Yet, after all, I sometimes think it is a pity to know too much about music, for one certainly has a narrower range of enjoyment."
"I wonder if it is really more than that of a man I used to know at college who would say, 'Give me a bag of peanuts and an interesting book and I'll enjoy myself.' Why, I read half of 'Les Miserables' at one sitting."
"For peanuts read candy, and you will have about the speech of a schoolmate of mine."
"Are you going to take up counterpoint and thorough-bass?" asked the doctor.
"Dear me, no. I don't aspire to composition. If I overcome technique and get in a little harmony I shall be doing well. I am doing intricate Bach things now, but I have an inspiring teacher and I don't mind the hard work. You should hear her play. Talk of temperament! I never saw anything like her."
"And I fancy Miss Nan Corner is not lacking in that particular."
"I believe Mr. Harmer used to think so, but I feel like a very automaton compared to Frau Burg-Schmidt."
"I haven't heard you play since you were at home last winter, but----"
"Then you wouldn't let me practice; you told me to frivol, I remember."
"You needed to frivol then. That is where it was a time to quench the fires of genius."
"I believe I have felt years older since that experience," said Nan thoughtfully, "and I am sure it is why mother does not want to leave us alone again. I believe you had something to say to that, too, Dr. Paul."
"You mustn't expect me to give away the secrets of my profession."