"It is you who are the teacher."

She flashed up at him.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It is true--is it not?"

"If you wish me to understand that you would rather not play, have the goodness to say so plainly."

Whereupon he sat down--and played. And Madge listened.

When he stopped, she was looking away from him, toward the fire. Tears were in her eyes.

"I suppose you are a genius?"

Her voice seemed a little strained. He shook his head.

"No--the music comes out of the ends of my fingers."