Sydney, undiscouraged by several failures, reached Mr. Streeter late at night and made an engagement for Max for the next evening.
Max, advised by Mrs. Schmitz, took the violin. What occurred during that interview Max never divulged. Max resented a little Mr. Streeter’s keen questions, though later he realized that they meant only justice to Mrs. Schmitz, whose kind heart sometimes overruled her judgment.
Max knew his reticence in regard to his family prejudiced Mr. Streeter against him, but held to his course; and in spite of this was able to leave a fairly favorable impression. This was increased during an evening at Mrs. Schmitz’s home, when the two musicians won him with their art; and Max’s bearing then counted still more in his favor.
Each passing day left visible improvement in his health. His cough decreased, his cheeks filled, his color was better, and his step was no longer languid or nervously rapid. Every apparent symptom of tuberculosis that might have frightened the ignorant was vanishing, and on its heels came a courage to meet life that Max had almost lost.
When they read of the apprehension and conviction for a term of years of a thief that Max recognized as the “pal” that had sworn vengeance, the lines of unboyish care left his face, and he began to whistle at his work.
Sydney did not know how deep an impression his simple motto, “Never take something for nothing,” had made upon Max, who had thought the opposite, “Take all you can get and give as little as possible,” was the law of business from day laborers to railroad wreckers.
He did not know that business is built upon an idea, confidence; that the commercial life of the nation would have failed, and surely would fail, were not the majority of men honest, and willing to let the “other fellow” also make something.
Mrs. Schmitz read what was passing in his mind and encouraged his attempts at helpfulness. At first he did not see that his efforts were awkward; her kindness disguised that. By the time he was skilled enough to realize his failures he was no longer sensitive about them. When in his experiments in cookery he salted the soup from the sugar jar, he laughed with the others and ate his own plateful to the last bit.
Mr. Streeter’s good words and Max’s own skill easily won him a place on the program for the opening night of the theater. And he did so well that the manager signed a contract for two weeks, which resulted in more money than he had seen for many months. Some of it he tried to pay to Mrs. Schmitz, but she refused it.