第41章

Jennings came exactly at three--came with the air of a man who wastes no one's time and lets no one waste his time.He was a youngish man of forty or there-abouts, with a long sharp nose, a large tight mouth, and eyes that seemed to be looking restlessly about for money.That they had not looked in vain seemed to be indicated by such facts as that he came in a private brougham and that he was most carefully dressed, apparently with the aid of a valet.

``Miss Stevens,'' he said with an abrupt bow, before Mildred had a chance to speak, ``you have come to New York to take singing lessons--to prepare yourself for the stage.And you wish a comfortable place to live and to work.'' He extended his gloved hand, shook hers frigidly, dropped it.``We shall get on--IF you work, but only if you work.I do not waste myself upon triflers.'' He drew a card from his pocket.``If you will go to see the lady whose name and address are written on this card, I think you will find the quarters you are looking for.''

``Thank you,'' said Mildred.

``Come to me--my address is on the card, also--at half-past ten on Saturday.We will then lay out your work.''

``If you find I have a voice worth while,'' Mildred ventured.

``That, of course,'' said Mr.Jennings curtly.

``Until half-past ten on Saturday, good day.''

Again he gave the abrupt foreign bow and, while Mildred was still struggling with her surprise and confusion, she saw him, through the window, driving rapidly away.Mrs.Belloc came drifting through the room; she had the habit of looking about whenever there were new visitors, and in her it was not irritating because her interest was innocent and sympathetic.

Said Mildred:

``Did you see that man, Mrs.Belloc?''

``What an extraordinary nose he had,'' replied she.

``Yes, I noticed that,'' said Mildred.``But it was the only thing I did notice.He is a singing teacher--Mr.Jennings.''

``Eugene Jennings?''

``Yes, Eugene.''

``He's the best known singing teacher in New York.

He gets fifteen dollars a half-hour.''

``Then I simply can't take from him!'' exclaimed Mildred, before she thought.``That's frightful!''

``Isn't it, though?'' echoed Mrs.Belloc.``I've heard his income is fifty thousand a year, what with lessons and coaching and odds and ends.There's a lot of them that do well, because so many fool women with nothing to do cultivate their voices--when they can't sing a little bit.But he tops them all.I don't see how ANY teacher can put fifteen dollars of value into half an hour.But I suppose he does, or he wouldn't get it.Still, his may be just another case of New York nerve.This is the biggest bluff town in the world, Ido believe.Here, you can get away with anything, Idon't care what it is, if only you bluff hard enough.''

As there was no reason for delay and many reasons against it, Mildred went at once to the address on the card Jennings had left.She found Mrs.Howell Brindley installed in a plain comfortable apartment in Fifty-ninth Street, overlooking the park and high enough to make the noise of the traffic endurable.ASwedish maid, prepossessingly white and clean, ushered her into the little drawing-room, which was furnished with more simplicity and individual taste than is usual anywhere in New York, cursed of the mania for useless and tasteless showiness.There were no messy draperies, no fussy statuettes, vases, gilt boxes, and the like.

Mildred awaited the entrance of Mrs.Brindley hopefully.

She was not disappointed.Presently in came a quietly-dressed, frank-looking woman of a young forty --a woman who had by no means lost her physical freshness, but had gained charm of another and more enduring kind.As she came forward with extended but not overeager hand, she said:

``I was expecting you, Mrs.Siddall--that is, Miss Stevens.''

``Mr.Jennings did not say when I was to come.If I am disturbing you--''

Mrs.Brindley hastened to assure her that her visit was quite convenient.``I must have someone to share the expense of this apartment with me, and I want the matter settled.Mr.Jennings has explained about you to me, and now that I've seen you--'' here she smiled charmingly--``I am ready to say that it is for you to say.''

Mildred did not know how to begin.She looked at Mrs.Brindley with appeal in her troubled young eyes.

``You no doubt wish to know something about me,''

said Mrs.Brindley.``My husband was a composer--a friend of Mr.Jennings.He died two years ago.

I am here in New York to teach the piano.What the lessons will bring, with my small income, will enable me to live--if I can find someone to help out at the expenses here.As I understand it, you are willing to pay forty dollars a week, I to run the house, pay all the bills, and so on--all, of course, if you wish to come here.''

Mildred made a not very successful attempt to conceal her embarrassment.

``Perhaps you would like to look at the apartment?''

suggested Mrs.Brindley.

``Thank you, yes,'' said Mildred.

The tour of the apartment--two bedrooms, dining-room, kitchen, sitting-room, large bath-room, drawing-room--took only a few minutes, but Mildred and Mrs.

Brindley contrived to become much better acquainted.

Said Mildred, when they were in the drawing-room again:

``It's most attractive--just what I should like.

What--how much did Mr.Jennings say?''

``Forty dollars a week.'' She colored slightly and spoke with the nervousness of one not in the habit of discussing money matters.``I do not see how I could make it less.That is the fair share of the--''

``Oh, I think that is most reasonable,'' interrupted Mildred.``And I wish to come.''

Mrs.Brindley gave an almost childlike sigh of relief and smiled radiantly.``Then it's settled,'' said she.

``I've been so nervous about it.'' She looked at Mildred with friendly understanding.``I think you and I are somewhat alike about practical things.You've not had much experience, either, have you? I judge so from the fact that Mr.Jennings is looking after everything for you.''