Part 9 (1/2)

ONE OF THE WOMEN

If Beethoven could only be here to hear it! He would cry for very joy!

Maybe he _does_ hear it. Who knows? I believe he does. I am _sure_ he does.

(THE GREAT PIANIST _reaches the end of the_ adagio, _and there is another burst of applause, which awakens_ THE DEAN OF THE CRITICS.)

THE DEAN OF THE CRITICS

Oh, piffle! Compared to Gottschalk, the man is an amateur. Let him go back to the conservatory for a couple of years.

ONE OF THE MEN

(_Looking at his program._) Next comes the _s.h.i.+rt-so_. I hope it has some tune in it.

THE VIRGIN

The _adagio_ is love's agony, but the _scherzo_ is love triumphant. What beautiful eyes he has! And how pale he is!

THE GREAT PIANIST

(_Resuming his grim toil._) Well, there's half of it over. But this _scherzo_ is ticklish business. That horrible evening in Prague--will I ever forget it? Those hisses--and the papers next day!

ONE OF THE MEN

Go it, professor! That's the best you've done yet!

ONE OF THE CRITICS

Too fast!

ANOTHER CRITIC

Too slow!

A YOUNG GIRL

My, but ain't the professor just full of talent!

THE GREAT PIANIST

Well, so far no accident. (_He negotiates a difficult pa.s.sage, and plays it triumphantly, but at some expenditure of cold perspiration._) What a way for a man to make a living!