Monsieur Posti, Emil Posti, he studied with Leschetizky, you know,
who comes up from San Francisco every other week, and we all take
from him. In between times--"

"Oh, but I've engaged a nice little Miss Davids from Old Paloma,"
said Mrs. Burgoyne.

"From Old Paloma!" echoed three women together. And Mrs. Apostleman
added heavily, "Never heard of her!"

"I got a good little Swedish sewing-woman over there," the hostess
explained, "and she told me of this girl. She's a sweet girl; no
mother, and a little sister to bring up. She was quite pleased."

"But, good heavens! What does she know? What's her method?" demanded
Mrs. White in puzzled disapproval.

"She has a pretty touch," Mrs. Burgoyne said mildly, "and she's
bristling with ambition and ideas. She's not a genius, perhaps; but,
then, neither is either of the girls. I just want them to play for
their own pleasure, read accompaniments; something of that sort.
Don't you know how popular the girl who can play college songs
always is at a house-party?"

"Well, really--" Mrs. White began, almost annoyed; but she broke her
sentence off abruptly, and Mrs. Apostleman filled the pause.

"Whatever made ye go over there for a dress-maker?" she demanded.
"We never think of going there. There's a very good woman here, in
the Bank Building--"