"She's a socialist," said Charlotte.
"Come, girls, tell Herr Von Barwig what you know. If he can teach such a finished pianist as Hélène, I am determined that you shall have the advantage of his tutelage."
"A finished musician?" thought Von Barwig. "Heaven save us! You have had lessons before?" he continued to ask one of the gay young ladies. "You have studied a great deal, yes?"
"We've had lots of lessons," replied Octavie, "but I don't think we've studied; at least I haven't!" she confessed.
"Don't count on me! I know nothing; absolutely nothing!" volunteered Charlotte.
"Well," said Von Barwig sententiously, "that is something at all events! Many musicians take years to discover that."
"I only want to know enough to do a few stunts," said Charlotte to him gaily.
Von Barwig's face fell. "Stunts! they do not love music," he thought, "they want to do tricks." And then the girls talked on the subject of musical comedies, popular songs and dance music, until their aunt interrupted them.
"Come, Charlotte," said the excellent Mrs. Cruger. She thought her nieces had had time to prevail on the eminent professor to take them. "Remember your appointment at the museum."
Von Barwig, in the act of drinking tea, nearly choked. He thought of his Dime Museum. "If they should ever dream of such a thing!"