In her manner there was a subdued dignity which he had noticed recently--something of the self-confidence of the very young and unspoiled--which, considering all things, he could not exactly account for.
"Does that doddering old dancing-master of yours behave himself ?" "Yes--since you spoke to him.

Mr.Bulder came to the school again." "What did you say to him ?" "I told him that you wouldn't let me sing in 'The Inca.'" "And what did Bulder say ?" "He was persistent but perfectly respectful; asked if he might confer with you.

He wrote to you I think, didn't he ?" Malcourt nodded and lighted a cigarette.
"Dolly," he said, "do you want to sing _Chaske_ in 'The Inca' next winter ?" "Yes, I do--if you think it is all right." She added in a low voice: "I want to do what will please you, Louis." "I don't know whether it's the best thing to do, but--you may have to." He laid his cigarette in a saucer, watched the smoke curling ceilingward, and said as though to himself: "I should like to be certain that you can support yourself--within a reasonable time from now--say a year.

That is all, Dolly." "I can do it now if you wish it--" The expression of his face checked her.
"I don't mean a variety career devoted to 'mother' songs," he said with a sneer.

"There's a middle course between diamonds and 'sinkers.' You'll get there if you don't kick over the traces....