"Range? Did your master tell you that the range makes the voice contralto or soprano? It's the colour of tone, not that." He kept striking and re-striking the notes without looking at her. She observed the diamonds on his hands enviously.
"Do you—are you trying to tell me I'm no good?" she asked with a little gasp.
"You have been badly taught," he said, "awfully badly. I expected it. Your voice has never been placed."
"Thank you," she said. "It's kind of you to be candid." She was very pale. "I suppose there's nothing I can do to—to make it all right?"
"I'm afraid not," said Lee.
"And all because I've been badly taught?"
"Oh, I don't say that. It has done harm of course—the natural colour of the voice isn't there; but I don't think—if you want me to tell you the truth—I don't think you could ever have done what you hoped under any circumstances."
There was a long silence. Then she forced a smile, and put out her hand.
"Good-bye," she said.
"You're not going like that? Ah, you make me feel a beast! Do you want it so much? Think of the hardships you'd have to go through, even if you could make a start. Cheer up! Things aren't so bad after all."