t was I doing? Was I shaping my life in
such a way that it would never again fit into the simple grooves of
country life? The dance lost its charm for me. I danced and made merry
and tried to enter into the gay spirit of the occasion but I longed all
the time to be with Mother Bab and David riding to Lancaster County.

CHAPTER XXIV

DIARY--DECLARATIONS

_March 22._

SPRING is here but I'd never know it if I didn't read the calendar. I
haven't seen a robin or heard a song-sparrow. Just the same, I've had a
wonderful time these past weeks. Of course my music gets first
attention. I'm getting on well, though I'm beginning to see what a long,
long time it will take before I become a great singer. Since I have
heard really great singers I wonder whether I was not too presumptuous
when I thought I might be one some day. I went to several big churches
lately and heard fine music.

I thought Lent would be a dull season but it's been gay enough for me.
There has been unusual activity, Virginia says, because of so many
charitable affairs held for the benefit of the war sufferers.

I bought a new spring hat, a dream. Hope Aunt Maria never asks me what I
paid for it. After wearing Greenwald hats all my life this one was
coming to me.

But my thoughts are not all of frivolous matters. I have taken advantage
of some of the opportunities Philadelphia offers to improve my mind and
broaden my vision. I've been to lectures and plays and enjoyed them all.

I asked Royal to-day why he never worked. He laughed and said I was an
inquisitive Bluebird. Then he told me his parents left him enough money
to live without working. He never did a solid hour's real work in his
whole life. With his talent and his personal attractions he might become
a famous musician if he had some odds to fight against or some person to
encourage him and make him do his best. He said he knows he never
developed his talent to the full extent but that since he knows me he is
playing better than he did before. I wonder if I really am an
inspiration to him. I suppose a genius does need a wife or sympathetic
friend to bring out the best in him. He has been so lovely, showing his
fondness for me in many ways, but he has never said anything sentimental
like he did the day we sat by the fire. Sometimes he does say ambiguous
things that I can't understand. He is surely giving me a long time to
think it