Cabinska had acted the parts of so many unfortunate and betrayed women that she had already lost all memory of the bounds of her own individuality; her own emotions became merged and identified in ever greater degree with the characters which she impersonated, and thus it happened that her fanciful tales were not downright lies.
After a long silence, Cabinska asked in a calm voice, "You live at
Mrs. Sowinska's, mademoiselle?"
"Not yet," answered Janina, "I have already rented the room, but they have to renovate it. In the meanwhile, I am living at the hotel."
"Kaczkowska and Halt told me that you play the piano very well."
"A little bit."
"I wanted to ask you, if you would not teach my Yadzia? . . . She is a very bright girl and has a good ear for music."
"With real pleasure. My knowledge is rather limited, but I can teach your daughter the rudiments of music. . . . Only, I don't know whether I will have enough time. . . ."
"Oh, certainly! And as to your fee, we shall include that in your salary."
"Very well. . . . Is your daughter already started?"
"Excellently. You can convince yourself immediately. . . . Nurse, bring Yadzia here!" called Cabinska.