It was an august looking gang. Two music-critics from four of the largest cities of the country comprised the board of examination, with a president selected by common vote. This president was the distinguished pianist and literator, Dr. Larry Nopkin, and his sarcastic glare at the pupils gave every man the nervous shivers. Funereally the nine men filed by and took their seats on the platform, Dr. Nopkin occupying with Mr. Quelson the dais, on which stood a grand piano.
There was a brief pause, but pregnant with anxiety. Mr. Quelson, all smiles, handed Dr. Nopkin a long list of names, and the committee fanned itself and thought of the _Tannhäuser-Busch Overture_ which it had listened to so attentively in the Wagner coaches that brought it to Brahms Institute.
The only man of the party who seemed out of humor was Mr. Blink, who grumbled to his neighbor that the name of the college was in bad taste. It should have been called the Chopin Retreat or the Paderewski Home, but Brahms--pooh!
Dr. Nopkin arose, put on a pair of ponderous spectacles, and grinned malevolently at his hearers.
"Young men," he squeakily said, "I want to begin with a story. Once upon a time a certain young man, full of the conviction that he was a second Liszt, sought out Thalberg, when that great pianist--"
"Great pianist!" whispered Blink, sardonically.
"Yes, I said great pianist--greater than all your Paderewski's, your--"
"I protest, Mr. President," said Mr. Blink, rising to his feet; at the same time a pink flush rose to his cheek. "I protest. We have not come here to compare notes about pianists, but to examine this class."
The class giggled, but respectfully and in a perfect major-accord. Dr. Nopkin grew black in the face. Turning to Mr. Quelson he said:
"Either I am president or I am not, Mr. Quelson."
That gentleman looked very much embarrassed.
"Oh, of course, doctor, of course; Mr. Blink was carried away, you know--carried away by his professional enthusiasm--no offense intended, I am sure, Mr. Blink."
By this time Mr. Blink had been pulled down in his seat by Mr. Sanderson, the critic of the _Skyrocket_, and order was restored.
The class seemed disappointed as Dr. Nopkin proceeded: "As I was saying when interrupted by my Wagnerian associate, the young man went to Thalberg and played an original composition called the _Tornado Galop_. It was written exclusively for the black keys, and a magnificent _glissando_, if I do flatter myself, ended the piece most brilliantly. Thalberg--it was in the year '57, if I remember aright."