"I shall not sing scales," said Estelle firmly.
"I thought one always had to," put in Ragna.
"Not with a voice like mine; my voice is far beyond scales."
"That is very satisfactory, dear Fröken," said the old lady. "My dear," this to Ragna, "will you give me the largest tartlet,—the one with the most jam on it?"
"I hope," remarked Fru Bjork, "that you will do nothing so silly as to train for the stage, Estelle." She was about to add, "at your age, too," but refrained.
Estelle simpered.
"Why should it be silly, Fru Bjork, if I feel it to be my vocation? Why should I not give utterance to the sacred fire that is within me? Is it not my duty to humanity?"
Fru Bjork found no answer to this, and held her peace, but Ragna was more daring.
"Do you think you have a stage presence, Estelle?" she asked.
"Why not? I am tall—besides, it is much more important to have voice and temperament. I feel it my mission to redeem the stage. Why do you ask me such a question?"