Page:Our Little Girl (1923).pdf/167

 Miss Reitz. And when you sing a song of enticement, you should be an enchantress.”

He moved over and patted her hand gently.

“Now, do you understand?”

Yes, but why did he have to pat her hand? He was using this theoretical talk as a pretext for making love to her.

“There is more to it. Great singing may be founded on mere understanding, on knowing the souls of men and women. But it is rooted in human experience. You must have human experience, my child, before you can become a great artist.”

Dorothy rose. She knew what he meant by “human experience.” In a moment he would be offering to supply her with this commodity. He was making improper advances to her.

“I must go,” she said. “I have an appointment.”

Soedlich clenched his fists in exasperation.

“How can I teach you anything if you run away before I have started?”

“I’m very sorry, but I must go.”

She would be firm with him.

“Well,” he said resignedly, “it’s as you please. I don’t think that I’ve been able to help you very much. Do you wish to come again?”

No! He wasn’t what she needed. Goldstein was of more use. So was Madame Graaberg.

“I’ll let you know.”

It was polite but final.

“Very well.”

He opened the door, and walked out with her. He stopped at his secretary’s desk and bade her good-bye.

“That’s a funny girl,” he observed to the secretary. “Do you know, I think she thought that I was trying to make love to her!”