Levillier and Julian both looked at Valentine with some amazement.
"Are you talking about yourself?" the doctor asked.
"Certainly."
"Why? What talent is dead in you?"
"My talent for music. Do you know that for the last few days I've been able neither to sing nor play?"
"Val, you're joking," exclaimed Julian.
"I am certainly not," he answered, and quite gravely. "I am simply stating a fact."
Doctor Levillier seemed unable to appreciate that he was speaking seriously.
"I have come all this way to hear you sing," he said. "I have never asked you in vain yet."
"Is it my fault if you ask me in vain now?"