‘I’m afraid I don’t know her quite well enough,’ replied Miss Leach.  ‘What’s it for?  Are you thinking ——?  Really?  You really are?’

The sisters became joyously excited.  Splendid idea!  They had feared it was impossible.  Oh, she might count with certainty upon a brilliant success!  They began to talk about the programme.  And what professionals would she engage to take part in the concert?  When Alma mentioned that the illustrious Felix Dymes had offered to undertake the management of her business, interest rose to the highest point.  Felix Dymes would of course be a tower of strength.  Though tempted to speak of the support she might expect from another great man, Alma refrained; her reason being that she meant to ask Dora to accompany her to the Crystal Palace next Saturday.  If, as was almost certain, Redgrave met them there, it would be unpleasant to let Dora surmise that the meeting was not by chance.

They chattered for two or three hours, and, among other things, made merry over a girl of their acquaintance (struggling with flagrant poverty), who aimed at a professional career.

‘It really would be kindness,’ said Dora, ’to tell her she hasn’t the least chance; but one can’t do that.  She was here the other day playing to us —­ oh, for such a time!  She said her bow would have to be rehaired, and when I looked at it, I saw it was all greasy and black near the frog, from her dirty fingers; it only wanted washing.  I just managed to edge in a hint about soap and water.  But she’s very touchy; one has to be so careful with her.’

‘It’s dreadfully awkward, you know,’ put in Gerda, ’to talk to people who are so poor —­ isn’t it?  It came out one day that she had been peeling potatoes for their dinner!  It makes one so uncomfortable —­ she really need not have mentioned it.’

The public halls were discussed.  Which would Alma select?  Then again the programme.  Would she play the Adagio? —­ meaning, of course, that in Spohr’s Concerto 9.  No, no; not the Adagio —­ not on any account the Adagio!  Something of Bach’s? —­ yes; perhaps the Chaconne.  And Brahms?  There was the Sonata in A for violin and piano.  A stiff piece, but one must not be too popular —­ Heaven forbid that one should catch at cheap applause!  How about a trio?  What was that thing of Dvorak’s, at St James’s Hall not long ago?  Yes, the trio in B flat —­ piano, violin, and ’cello.  At least a score of pieces were jotted down, some from memory, some picked out of old programmes, of which Dora produced a great portfolio.  Interruption came at length —­ a servant entering to say that Mrs. Leach felt so ill, she wished the doctor to be summoned.

‘Oh, bother Mamma and her illnesses!’ exclaimed the vivacious Gerda when the intruder was waved off.  ’It’s all nonsense, you know.  She will quarrel with servants and get herself into a state.  It’ll have to be a boarding-house; I see it coming nearer every day.’