Her companion was wanted to play from the book, and play worthily, the works of the great masters (whom this young creature adored)--and she, listening, would take her place next at the piano, and reproduce the music morsel by morsel, by ear.

A professor was appointed to pronounce sentence on me, and declare if I could be trusted not to misinterpret Mozart, Beethoven, and the other masters who have written for the piano.

Through this ordeal I passed with success.

As for my references, they spoke for themselves.

Not even the lawyer (though he tried hard) could pick holes in them.