Part 8 Summary

Yegudkin had ordered a new horn for one of his graduate students. When it arrived, he assembled it and played. Jack watched him in awe, the music seeming to have a life of its own. Yegudkin then handed the horn over to the student. In wonder, Jack asked him if he might ever play as well. The teacher bellowed a retort and closed himself off. The lesson finished and Jack headed home with tears running down his face.

Part 8 Analysis

The teacher assembled and played the beautiful new horn for the two students. They were utterly enthralled by the music. It moved them, and Jack spoke perhaps naively when he asked if he would ever be able to play so well. Yegudkin responded with coldness and anger, possibly because Jack's question reminded him that he was no longer a musician, but an old...