The Argosy — page 171: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

156 Heads or Tals ? “Tt is the performance of an original cantata called ‘ Death and his Bride,’ which I have written for the degree of Mus. Doc., and shall conduct in the Sheldonian Theatre.” “You have really written it yourself? Oh! I am so glad, because it’s so interesting to know authors and composers and all those sort of people.” ‘Your presence in the theatre will help me, I am sure,” said Cecil, in still lower tones; “for the strain of the undertaking is almost more than I can bear. I know that my music will not be understood. To perform it to an ordinary mixed audience is worse than setting pearls before swine. If they applaud at all, it will be in the wrong place, or they may clap the mere beauty of the voices, or the technical skill of the instrumentalists. But the meaning, the soul of the work, that which, coming from me, has taken with it a part of my very life, is hid from their eyes! You will understand it, Miss Danvers ; you will reckon the price I have paid for this, the first original creation of my brain.” Violet hardly knew how to answer this rhapsody, but she was under the spell of his dark eyes and pathetic pleadings, as with a sigh almosé as sad as his own, she said: “T will do what I can for you, I will help you when and where I can.” At that moment the door onvened and Dick Hamilton came in, seeming to bring with him a breath of fresh air into the heated, sweet- scented atmosphere of the room. He greeted Violet with genuine pleasure. “ Well, now, I do think it’s awfully good of you to come down to us at such a beastly time of the year as this! Though I dare say its not much worse in Oxford than anywhere else. Do you know you have got it most frightfully hot in here, mother ? ” ‘We do not feel it, my boy,” said Mrs. Hamilton. She was a mixture of both her sons, and loved them quite impartially, but she was obliged to show some consideration for Cecil’s health, which was far from robust. ‘Ah, well! I know it’s a wicked habit which people who come into a room from out-of-doors have of grumbling at its heat. Now Miss Danvers how much tea have you left me? Plenty, I hope, for I give you fair warning I’m mortal hungry.” And Dick, with two long strides, came to the tea-table, took up the teapot before his mother had time to reach it, and shaking it con- temptuously, said: ‘“oTWsn’t good enough. I'll ring the bell and have a good big cup of cocoa. What have you got for me to eat, mother? Only those mouthfuls of bread and butter. Oh! I declare this will never do! You wait until I invite you to tea in my rooms, Miss Danvers, and then see what a good square meal we make of it! Cope,” to the butler who answered his summons, ‘‘ make me a cup of cocoa, will COMMIECMOOOKS.E@