Indeed, you are very much in earnest: that speaks well for you, and for Mr.Buffalo.But what pieces are you studying with the Etudes?
Hummel, Mendelssohn, Chopin, or Schumann?
STOCK (_contemptuously_).

Mr.Buffalo can't bear Chopin and Schumann.
Mr.Buffalo lately played through Schumann's "Kinderscenen," that people are making such a talk about.

My mamma, who is also musical, and used to sing when papa played the flute, said, "What ridiculous little things are those?
Are they waltzes for children?
and then the babyish names for them! He may play such stuff to his wife, but not to us." DOMINIE.

Well, these "Kinderscenen" _are_ curious little bits for grown-up men's hands.

Your mother is right, they are too short: there certainly ought to be more of them.