day to be marked with a white stone when you brought her to me.
We are giving back to the world a pearl of great price. She has the
voice, _amico mio_, and she has the natural method! But more than all
else her voice is _simpatica_, it throbs and thrills, it enlists love
and affection and the desire to listen forever. At her feet the world
will kneel some day. She will be mentioned in the same breath as our
greatest _prime donne_. In three weeks I give my concert. Every one will
be there. I have given hints to many, made much mystery. She will come
out in all her beauty, dressed in a very fine gown, the last on the
programme, so that she will be a revelation. People will go away and
clamor at her greatness. I am Richetti! I know what I speak of!"

In his enthusiasm he slapped me severely on the back, and I hurried
home.

"Frances!" I exclaimed, breathlessly. "Richetti is getting crazy about
you. He bubbles over with enthusiasm. Moreover, Jamieson says he is a
wise old guy. The _maestro_ says you must have a very fine gown to wear
at the concert. Where is the gown?"

She cast her eyes down at the floor.

"I--I suppose I will manage to----"

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself," I told her, severely. "It is a
most important matter which we have inexcusably neglected. Come out with
me at once and we will buy one."

"Oh, no, Dave, I was thinking that I have a very nice white lace gown I
brought from Paris when I first came over, which could----"

"You have no business to think such things. Who is that coming up the
stairs? Hello, always on hand when you are most needed, Frieda. I want
you to go at once with Frances to the most expensive shop on Fifth
Avenue and buy her a concert gown. Here are a hundred dollars."

"That would buy two sleeves and maybe a few flounces," said Frieda,
quietly.

"Here's a hundred more which you can leave on deposit. I will see to the
balance. Not a word, Frances. Remember that it must be a very fine gown.
Richetti says so, I didn't suggest it to him. He knows what's needed.
You can pay me back when you are making thousands. Don't argue, but go
at once!"

"You're a nasty tempered old bully," Frieda informed me, her eyes
twinkling behind her spectacles.

"Good!" I exclaimed. "You're always saying that I don't assert myself
enough. Thank goodness, I'm getting cured of that."

So, presently, they went away and I was left alone. Some letters were on
my desk. One of them was from Gord