“Then what was it that went wrong? I’ve never understood.”
“Why should you think anything went wrong? The critics said it was a remarkable performance. You made a great effect.”
“I believe I did. But I felt for the first time that day that I was out of sympathy with my audience. And then”—she paused, but presently added with a certain dryness—“I was never offered any engagement to sing in oratorio after Burstal.”
“I believe a good many people thought your talent would show at its best in opera.”
“I shall never go on the stage. The idea is hateful to me, and always has been. Would you like me to sing on the stage?”
“No.”
“Dion, why don’t you tell me what happened that day at Burstal?”
“I scarcely could.”
“I wish you would try.”
“Well—I think it was a mistake for you to begin your public career in oratorio by singing ‘Woe unto them.’”