"The poor dear thought so, but a dealer to whom I took it said it was a Tyrolean copy."
Jones put down his hat. "The brutes always say something of the kind. What did it look like?"
Cassy glanced at him. "A flute, of course. What else would a violin look like?"
"You are quite right. I meant the colour."
"Oh, the colour! Madeira with a sheen in it."
"Yes!" Jones exclaimed. "That is the exact and precise description of the Amati varnish, of which the secret is lost. I hope you did not let the brute have it."
Cassy did not want to tell him that either. But when you are very forlorn it is hard to keep everything in.
"I needed a little for the funeral and he gave it to me."
"And it was worth thousands! Have you found an engagement?"
"The season is ending. Then too, either I have lost confidence or I am not up to it, not yet at least."