"Well, I came, and the experts heard me, and they concluded that my voice was quite unusual--the most promising soprano they had found for years."
"And now?"
"Now I'm at the Royal Academy of Music, and by and by I am to go to Paris for two years, three years, perhaps four to study under Marchesi or Bonby and to attend an acting class, and finally I am to be taken to Monte Carlo or Nice in representations of "Faust" and "Someo," as a first step toward taking London by storm as Marguerite or Juliette--there!"
"And Finsen is doing all this for you?"
"Well, yes, so to speak, I suppose I must say that."
"Is he to pay your expenses?"
"I really don't know who is to pay them, but I've signed a contract to come out under his management and to refund everything when I am fairly launched. And now about yourself, Oscar?"
"About me?"
"It's nearly a year since I saw you last. What have you been doing?"
Oscar made a clumsy laugh. "Oh, I'm like the lilies of the field--I toil not, neither do I spin."