Billy gave an excited little bounce in her chair.
“And you'll begin to learn rôles right away?”
“I already have, some—after a fashion—before I came here.”
“Really? How splendid! Why, then you'll be acting them next right on the Boston Opera House stage, and we'll all go to hear you. How perfectly lovely! I can hardly wait.”
Arkwright laughed—but his eyes glowed with pleasure.
“Aren't you hurrying things a little?” he ventured.
“But they do let the students appear,” argued Billy. “I knew a girl last year who went on in 'Aida,' and she was a pupil at the School. She sang first in a Sunday concert, then they put her in the bill for a Saturday night. She did splendidly—so well that they gave her a chance later at a subscription performance. Oh, you'll be there—and soon, too!”
“Thank you! I only wish the powers that could put me there had your flattering enthusiasm on the matter,” he smiled.
“I don't worry any,” nodded Billy, “only please don't 'arrive' too soon—not before the wedding, you know,” she added jokingly. “We shall be too busy to give you proper attention until after that.”
A peculiar look crossed Arkwright's face.