Do I look nice; and will you like me any better now?"

"Yes, much better. You were a poor caterpillar before; I liked you a
little because I knew what a pretty butterfly you would be in time. I
helped to make your wings. Now, listen."

For two hours she taught me, making her red letters or marks, which I
copied on my tablet, and explaining them to me; and at the conclusion of
the lesson, I had got a general idea that the writing was to a great
extent phonographic, and that I was in for rather a tough job.

"Do you think that you will be able to teach me to sing also?" I asked,
when she had put the tablets aside.

The memory of that miserable failure, when I "had led the singing," was
a constant sore in my mind. I had begun to think that I had not done
myself justice on that memorable occasion, and the desire to make
another trial under more favorable circumstances was very strong in me.

She looked a little startled at my question, but said nothing.

"I know now," I continued pleadingly, "that you all sing softly. If you
will only consent to try me once I promise to stick like cobbler's
wax--I beg your pardon, I mean I will endeavor to adhere to the morendo
and perdendosi style--don't you know? What am I saying! But I promise
you, Yoletta, I shan't frighten you, if you will only let me try and
sing to you once."

She turned from me with a somewhat clouded expression of face, and
walked with slow steps to the dais, and placing her hands on the keys,