Page:Our Little Girl (1923).pdf/65

 marching to bring before her an enthralling view of Arnold. He was attractive. He was clever—in a way. He was a gentleman. He danced beautifully. She tried to recall how he had held her in his arms at the graduation dance. There had been a waltz, a terribly melting waltz, and Arnold-

She stretched herself out on the bed. The vocalizes of Madame Schneider had faded. A waltz was murmuring to her. Yet there was something missing. If Arnold only had said-

The phantom waltz had become her lullaby.

And, as such things happen, the matter settled itself suddenly in the morning. The Loamford family had nothing to do with it. Madame Schneider settled it with a letter which contained a clipping, showing Edna EIdridge, a new soprano of the Metropolitan Opera House, arrayed in a fetching short-skirted costume as “Nedda” in “I Pagliacci.”

“Dear Madam,” ran the letter. “The enclosed clipping will no doubt surprise you, but I have become a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company and will make my début this season as you will see from enclosed clipping.

“This will make it impossible for me to continue lessons for your daughter Dorothy, and am enclosing bill to date, which please remit at your convenience. With best wishes to Miss Dorothy and thanking you in advance, yours truly, Edna Eldridge (Mme. Schneider).”

Mrs. Loamford passed the letter to her husband without a word. He looked at it with a smile.

“I’m sorry I never saw her,” he remarked, “she’s rather—shapely.”

“Samuel!’”’ objected Mrs. Loamford.

“Well—she has nice legs,” he continued. “A good duet.”