The Sadler’s Wells personnel love “Madame”; regard it as a high privilege to be a part of the Wells organization; do not look on their association merely as a “job.”
It might be that “Madame” could advantageously employ Vaganova’s method in this regard, use her example in her own relations with her company. Certainly, it could do no harm, as I see it. It may well be that she does. The point is that I have never seen it in practice.
In the better part of a lifetime spent in the midst of the dance, I can remember no one with a greater devotion to ballet, or one willing to make more sacrifices for it, and for the spreading of its gospel.
Let me cite just one example of this devotion. It was during the second North American tour of the Sadler’s Wells company that, despite all the demands made upon her time and energy, she was impelled to undertake a long lecture tour of Canada and the Northwest to spread the gospel of ballet and the British Council.
Herbert Hughes, the general manager, came to me to point out that since “Madame” had to do this, he felt we should send some one to accompany her, because she was unfamiliar with the country, and with the train and air schedules.
I fully concurred, in view of all he had said, and the possibility of inclement weather at that time of the year.
Together we approached “Madame” with the idea. It did not meet with her approval. It was quite unnecessary. She was quite able to take care of herself. She did not want any one “making a fuss” over her.
Of course, she would require funds for her expenses. Hughes prevailed upon her to accept $300 as petty cash. “Madame” stuffed the money into her capacious reticule.
When “Madame” rejoined the company, she brought back $137 of the $300. “This is the balance,” she said to Hughes, “I didn’t spend it.”
This entire lecture tour, in which she covered thousands of miles, was but another example of her tirelessness and Ninette de Valois’ single-track mind.