The curtain had scarcely dropped before Joanne had darted from her place and had rushed to the back, where she found Bob waiting. She gave him both her hands. “You are a perfect dear,” she said, “to come to our rescue, and you played wonderfully. Thank you a thousand million times. But, Bob, before I go crazy please tell me how your mother—it is your mother, isn’t it? How can she be Madame Risteau as well as Mrs. Marriott?”
Bob laughed. “That’s an easy one. She was Madame Risteau before she married my father, and she went upon the concert stage under that name. She sings in public very seldom now, but when she does, it is under the name she was known by. In private life she prefers to be Mrs. Marriott. She sings in church and for charity, she did often during the war, but not in regular concerts.”
The look of bewilderment gradually left Joanne’s face. “Please tell me where she is,” she said tremblingly. Now the moment of meeting had arrived, she was all of a quiver of excitement. More than ever was her heroine adored.
Bob led the way to the little room where his mother, surrounded by friends, was receiving thanks. “Here she is, mum,” cried Bob.
Joanne held back a second, but Mrs. Marriott held out welcoming hands and presently Joanne was clasped in close embrace, and almost ready to weep with joyful excitement.
Then up came sweet Mrs. Barry, Dr. and Mrs. Selden in search of Joanne, so that quite a crowd gathered around the performers, and there was much chatter.
“I said it was Madame Risteau the picture looked like,” Winnie found her chance to say.
Joanne laughed and drew Winnie into the circle. “Mrs. Marriott,” she said, “I want you to know my dear friend, Winnie Merryman.”
It was Winnie’s turn to look bewildered. She could hardly acknowledge the introduction for surprise. “But, but——” she stammered, “I thought Miss Dodge said it was Madame Risteau.”
“So it is,” returned Mrs. Marriott, “though I seldom use the name now. I married at seventeen a young French musician, and have kept his name for use on the concert stage, as it was by that name I made my success. My husband lived only a few years and after a while I married Mr. Marriott, so in private life I am Mrs. Marriott.”