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 interested only in the management fee. What I am driving at is that the mere appearance, as such, is available to anyone who can afford it. We have a certain standard, The artists who appear under our direction gain a certain prestige by that connection. I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing Miss Loamford sing.”

“Dorothy will be delighted to sing for you at almost any time, Mr. Maxwell,” suggested Mrs. Loamford. “I am sure of that——”

“One of the curious things about this business,” he said, “is that we have several artists whom I’ve never heard. They came to us well recommended. They made successful débuts. We’ve booked them all over the country. But I’ve never had the opportunity to attend one of their concerts. Now, in the case of Miss Loamford, I’m willing to take Mr. Fleming’s word. I admit that Miss Loamford’s experience is limited, but I frequently go on impressions. I hardly think that Miss Loamford would become panic-stricken in front of an audience and critics.”

Maxwell seemed to be a man of experience, thought Dorothy.

“How much would it cost?” interposed Mrs. Loamford rather impatiently.

Her mother, Dorothy fancied, was too eager to bring up the commercial side of things. “That is up to you for the most part. Your chief expenses will be rental, advertising, circulars, if you want them, postage and an accompanist. You can keep these costs within five hundred dollars if you care to. Of course, if you want to do the thing elaborately you can spend almost any amount. Including the management fee, you can give the recital for six to seven hundred dollars at the outside."