“Thank you, Becky,” Mrs. Craig said. “We’re pretty proud of her. And yes, this is Doris’s day. And now Tommy has invited a friend from Mercyville for dinner, so we’ll have a little party. We can use the cookies, you see.”
“You’re welcome to ’em, child. I’ve heard about this Mercyville place. It’s wonderful, I understand.” She picked up her basket. “I have to run, Marge. But you let me know first you hear about how Doris comes out.”
Mrs. Craig walked with her to the door. “I certainly will, Becky. And thanks so much for the cookies.”
After lunch, Doris went into the living room to practice. Mrs. Craig worried about whether or not Doris should practice just before her try-out, but she kept silent, not wanting to upset her daughter. As she heard Doris’s skillful fingers run over scales and arpeggios, she relaxed and went about her household chores with a light heart. Certainly Doris couldn’t fail to impress the examiners!
At three o’clock they arrived. Mrs. Tyler, Doris’s music teacher, appeared with Mr. Hensen and Miss Smythe of the college. Mrs. Craig brought them into the parlor where Doris was still limbering up her fingers.
“This is Doris,” she said, introducing her child to the young teachers.
“I’m glad we had the chance to break in on your practicing,” Mr. Hansen said. “It’s sometimes easier to tell about a performance when the girl doesn’t realize we’re listening.”
Doris smiled shyly and sat down on the bench. “I know you’re in a hurry, so I’ll start right off,” she said.
She opened her small program with a Bach prelude. Her fingers moved with precision and grace. Then she played the first movement of a Beethoven sonata, and she closed with a Chopin etude.
Mr. Hansen and Miss Smythe were silent for a moment after Doris had finished. Finally Mr. Hansen stood up. “Forgive me if I appear to be rude, Mrs. Craig, but I would like to talk to Miss Smythe alone for a minute.”