til you have practiced a year, my little girl," he
said, winking at his prospective pupil. "Den who shall say she vill
not be charmed by vhat she hears? But come," he added, sobering, "let
us try somet'ing of a different nature. If you are as proficient in
de second piece as in de first, I shall have no hesitation in
pronouncing you one of de most extraordinary pupils who has ever come
under my observation."

Dorothy bowed, and throwing her violin into position, waited for the
Herr professor to select from the music on the piano the piece he
wished her to play.

"Ah! here iss 'Hearts und Flowers.' Dat iss a pretty air und may be
played with a great deal of expression, if you please. Let me hear
you try it, Miss Dorothy."

Again the baton was waved above the Herr professor's head. The next
instant they swung off into the plaintive air, Dorothy's body, as
before, keeping time to the rhythm of the notes, the music master
playing the accompaniment with an ease that was astonishing. In every
movement the old German showed the finished musician. Twice during
the rendition of the piece did he stop Dorothy, to explain where she
had missed the fraction of a beat, and each time, to his great
satisfaction, the girl rallied to the occasion, and played the music
exactly as he desired.

The ordeal over at last, Herr Deichenberg was even more lavish in his
praise of Dorothy's work.

"Of course, she iss not a perfect violinist," he told Aunt Betty. "Ve
could hardly expect dat, you know. But for a young lady of her age
und experience she has made rapid progress. Herr Wilmot, who gave de
first lessons had de right idea, und there iss nothing dat he taught
her dat ve shall have to change."

Out on the broad gallery, as he was taking his leave, the professor
looked proudly at Dorothy again.

"I repeat dat I am glad to meet you und have you for a pupil. Vhen
shall de first lesson be given?"

Dorothy threw a quick glance at Aunt Betty.

"Not for at least four weeks, Herr Deichenberg," said that lady.

"Eh? Vhat!" cried the old music master. "Not for four veeks! Vhy iss
it dat you vait an eternity? Let us strike vhile de iron iss hot, as
de saying has it."

"But, Herr, my little girl has just returned from a winter of
strenuous study at the Canadian school of Oak Knowe, and I have
promised her a rest before she takes up her music."

"If dat iss so, I suppose I shall have to curb my impatience," he
replied, regretfully. "But l