“Katherine, you’re hopeless,” said Hinpoha with a sigh, and then she added affectionately, “that’s why we love you so.”
“There’s Slim outside with his big bob-sled,” said Sahwah, looking out of the window. “He promised to take us all coasting down College Hill this afternoon. Come on.” And they trooped out.
Nyoda took a few round trips on the bob with the girls, and then, having other things to do, walked home by herself through the early winter twilight. A few blocks from her home she saw Veronica walking along just ahead of her. By her side walked a young man whom Nyoda recognized as Alex Tobin, one of the violins in the Temple Theater Orchestra. He was talking animatedly and earnestly to her, his white teeth showing often in a smile beneath his small black moustache. Veronica was listening eagerly with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. As Nyoda drew near she heard Veronica say: “Oh, a chance to study with him would be the greatest happiness of my life, but uncle would never allow it. Never!”
And Alex Tobin answered: “Does it have to depend upon your uncle’s permission? You have money in your own right, have you not?”
And then Veronica noticed that Nyoda was behind her and turned and spoke and Alex Tobin took his departure down the cross street. Nyoda looked after him thoughtfully. She was not fond of Alex Tobin, although she knew him only very slightly. He was a young Pole, and quite handsome, but there was something about his eyes that made a keen observer dislike him.
“I was at the rehearsal of the Symphony Orchestra this afternoon,” said Veronica, with more animation than Nyoda had ever seen her display. “You know uncle plays this year and he lets me go along and listen, that I may benefit from the director’s criticisms.”
“Does Mr. Tobin play in the Symphony Orchestra, too?” asked Nyoda idly.
“Yes,” answered Veronica. “He’s a wonderful player; and so kind to me. He takes such an interest in my playing. He says I will play at concerts in time.”
“I don’t doubt it in the least,” said Nyoda heartily. “But you mustn’t study music to the exclusion of everything else. You are growing quite thin. You must stay out of doors more and romp with the girls. You are missing all the coasting and skating. ‘Hold on to Health,’ you know.”
“Yes, of course,” murmured Veronica absently, and fell silent, as if she were day-dreaming.