The Spinster Book

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it seemed good to be alive. His blood fairly sang in his pulses, and his cheery whist

extended comment, and he left behind him a trail of sharp glances and nodding heads. The entire hill was instantly alive with gossi

r neighbour, "I was right. He

sible errand, the neglected household tasks were taken up and the hill was quiet agai

in some occult way, reminded one of a bird-house. It was perched almost upon the ledge, and its western windows overlooked the valley,

ndows of the lower story, on a level with the street, he saw violins in all stages of making,

from the depths of the interior. At last the door was opened, cautiously, by a w

rving, making his best bow.

e will have gone for his w

ive answer. "If I may, please," he returned, carefully

nt room and pointed to a chair. "Yo

Do not let m

as and modern German fancies, overlaid with a feminine love of superfluous ornament. The Teutonic fondness for colour ran riot in e

e parlour, and a smaller room opened off of it. Lynn was meditating upon Herr Kaufmann's household arrangements

d been smeared with putty, and, while plastic, ornamented with hinges, nails, keys, clock wheels, curtain rings, and various other t

nn laughed aloud. Then, influenced by the sound of the scrubbing-brush close at hand, he endeavoured to cov

d, with gratified pride b

esponded Lynn. "It is marvell

e said, and then retreated, bl

roses. Outside, the street was deserted. He wondered what type of a man it was who could live in the same house with a "crazy jug"

ted. The first one was a good instrument of modern make, and the other-he caught his breath as he took it out of it

ing with his finger and the violin answered with a deep, resonant tone, but before the sound

man, her eyes flashing lightnings of a

" He went on with confused explanations and apologies which availed him nothing. H

, and sat down between Lynn and the piano. The chair was hard and uncompromising

work. After an awkward silence, Lynn made one or two tentative efforts toward convers

and it would be an easy drop to the ground. He smiled as he saw himself,

"where in the dicken

ing and surmised that she was a little older than his mother. Her features were hard, and her thin, straight hair was brushed tightly back and

ndkerchief, feeling himself closely scrutinised meanwhile. The situation wa

thin range of her vision, Fr?ulein Kaufmann moved tow

rtain lyric quality. When he came up, there was a convers

himself, "that I am not to

d strode out. He was gone so long that Lynn decided to retreat in good order. He pi

ter, "you would lik

ddy cheeks, and a mass of grey hair which he occasionally sho

Lynn, "I want to

fmann's tone was somew

explained Ir

u make

want t

t him sharply, "it is to play!

y turned aside. "Herr Kaufmann," he began, "I have come hundreds of miles to study with yo

dryly. "May I ask how you have heard of

emember my mother telling me that some day I should study with t

violinist, succinctly. "Ma

ng-Margare

the old man in a diff

en the boy began once more.

ditionally, then he came to himself with a start. "One moment,"

nswered. "I was here alone, I had been waiting a long time, and it has always been natural for me to look at violins. I think we al

blame. Fredrika takes it to herself; she thinks that she should have left her scrubbing and sat with you,

, however weak and childish, he saw that he had unwittingly touched a tender place. All the love of the hale old heart

of mine could wipe away my touch, I should do it h

eturned the Master, with quiet dig

long time. "What could I have done?" thought Lynn. "I only p

t as a lover might who saw his beloved in the arms of another. The bloom was gone from the fruit,

ond East Lancaster, while the sky was dark with threatening clouds and the dead leaves scurried in frigh

u, so that in all the years, you will not forget me. When you touch it, it will be as though you took my hand in yours. When it sings to you, it will be my voice saying: 'I

Dull thunders boomed afar, and he felt her lips crushed for an instant again

d to get away, but he dared not speak. At last the old m

d Lynn, with a note of p

ys at ten. Bring your violin and what music you have. We

ust outside his comprehension. He walked for an hour in the woods before going home, and in answer to questio

n old dear?

," answered L