Page:Willa Cather - The Song of the Lark.djvu/445



N Saturday night Dr. Archie went with Fred Ottenburg to hear "Tannhäuser." Thea had a rehearsal on Sunday afternoon, but as she was not on the bill again until Wednesday, she promised to dine with Archie and Ottenburg on Monday, if they could make the dinner early.

At a little after eight on Monday evening, the three friends returned to Thea's apartment and seated themselves for an hour of quiet talk.

"I 'm sorry we could n't have had Landry with us to night," Thea said, "but he 's on at Weber and Fields every night now. You ought to hear him, Dr. Archie. He often sings the old Scotch airs you used to love."

"Why not go down this evening?" Fred suggested hopefully, glancing at his watch. "That is, if you 'd like to go. I can telephone and find what time he comes on."

Thea hesitated. "No, I think not. I took a long walk this afternoon and I 'm rather tired. I think I can get to sleep early and be so much ahead. I don't mean at once, however," seeing Dr. Archie s disappointed look. "I always like to hear Landry," she added. "He never had much voice, and it 's worn, but there 's a sweetness about it, and he sings with such taste."

"Yes, does n't he? May I?" Fred took out his cigarette case. "It really does n't bother your throat?"

"A little does n't. But cigar smoke does. Poor Dr. Archie! Can you do with one of those?"

"I' m learning to like them," the doctor declared, taking one from the case Fred proffered him.

"Landry 's the only fellow I know in this country who can do that sort of thing," Fred went on. "Like the best