Page:Ballinger Price--The Happy Venture.djvu/222

202 can he study music without his master? How can he study without coming to stay with his master, as it was in the good old days of apprenticeship?"

Felicia looked about the little shadow-ﬂecked room.

"I know what you're thinking," said the Maestro, smoothing Kirk's dark hair. “You're hating the thought of leaving Applegate Farm. But perhaps the winter wind will sing you a different tune. Do you not think so, Mrs. Sturgis?"

Mrs. Sturgis nodded. "Their experience doesn't yet embrace all the phases of this," she said.

"Yes," said the Maestro, "some day before the snows come, you will come to me. And we'll fill that big house with music, and songs, and laughing—yes, and work, too. Ah, please!" said the Maestro, quite pathetically.

Felicia put her hand out to his.

"We will come, dear Maestro," she said, "when this little fire will not keep us warm any longer."

"Thank you," said the Maestro.

From behind them came murmurous talk of