Page:Our Little Girl (1923).pdf/79

 “How long will it be before you can make your début?” inquired Arnold, as they finished dancing. ‘That’s a nice tune they’re playing. Sounds like Irving Berlin.”

“Three years at least. That isn’t very long to study. Of course, I’ll keep on studying after I begin to sing in public.”

“More likely you’ll get married before you’re half-way through studying.”

“Not at all! I’m going to stick to my work.”

“Until the right man-

“That’s silly, Arnold! I’m serious about it.”

“Oh, they always are.”

“I really mean it.”

“We'll see. Bet you a—what do you want?—bet you anything against a pair of socks that you'll never go through with it.”

Dorothy laughed.

“That would be an easy way to get a grand piano. No, Arnold; I’m going through with it. When I start studying I’ll see very few people and I’ll spend most of my time at the opera and concerts.”

She could deliver this with the experience born of practice.

“I like opera. Don’t you think Madama Butterfly’s great? Wonderful tunes. It’s funny somebody hasn’t used some of them for fox-trots.”

“You're always thinking of dance music, aren’t you?”

“Not always. The music’s wonderful here, though. Want to dance this one?”

They were on the floor again. The lights were dimmed and the orchestra was moaning out a Russian classic with the barest indication of dance time from a subdued banjo.

“I could dance here forever!’ Arnold announced. “The floor’s wonderful—and the music-"