“Your Majesty,” replied Quantz, with great respect, “music is not mere play for unpractised fingers and heads, but hard work.”
“Yes, yes,” replied the King; “I found that out while studying my part. I shall be surprised if we succeed in satisfying you.”
“As far as Your Majesty is concerned, I am satisfied in advance.”
“There! there! you are a flatterer. We shall see.”
The King took his case from the piano and began putting his flute together. He was just about to try it, when the door opened and an official appeared, standing on the threshold and fixing his gaze upon the King.
“What is it?”
“If Your Majesty please, the gate-list.”
“So, so; let me have it.”
As the King, still with his flute in his hand, glanced over the paper, he suddenly gave a start, looked again, and turning to his band, said, “Gentlemen, great news! The elder Bach has come.”
His announcement caused much excitement. Emanuel alone retained his composure.