"Amuse ?" "Well, then, entertain." The great Joseppi pursed his lips.

His brows grew dark with trouble.
"Ah, but that would be violating my contract," he said.

"My contract specifically states that under no circumstances may I--" Then suddenly, as if renouncing a sacred principle, his brow cleared, and he cried out: "Damn the contract! Joseppi's voice is his own.

Joseppi will do as he pleases with it.

Let him but make the request, my friend,--and Joseppi will sing till he drops from exhaustion." Lowering his voice to a confidential undertone, he went on: "And that, my friend, is more than you will find Careni-Amori willing to do.