cup steady, and she finally set it down with a laugh. 

 "Do you play an instrument, Professor?" she asked, pushing her cup away with one hand. 

 "Well, I would not so much call it playing the instrument," he answered, "as playing _at_ the instrument." 

 "I see," she laughed.  "Rather the way I play _at_ the viola—though I daresay you speak of Liszt's writing as if you have some experience with it." 

 The professor seemed rather at a loss for an instant. He glanced away over Gretchen's shoulder, but recalled himself quickly and lifted his cup to his lips, meeting her eyes again.  "I do admit I have _tried_." He set his cup down while reaching into his vest pocket, as if searching for something.  "But really," he continued, "I haven't the technique. How about yourself, Miss Haviland? I take it you do rather well yourself, upon the viola." 

 Gretchen blushed, realizing that she must have sounded boastful just then. The professor seemed not to have taken it in stride—she realized that this must have accounted for his momentary loss for words.  "Well," she said then, settling herself forward upon her chair. "At one time—when I was quite young, you understand—I fancied I would perform upon the instrument. But..." 

 "Ah."  Professor Bridwell smiled.  "Then, other interests swept you away, no doubt. But still you play?"  He had pulled a silver cigarette case from his vest pocket, and he turned it over in his fingers. 

 "Oh, indeed."  Gretchen sighed deeply.  "I suppose, with all modesty set aside, I was adequate on the instrument—but adequacy in a performer is hardly to be tolerated..."  Before he could reply, she rushed onward, feeling her face flush.  "I certainly do not practice with any regularity of late!" 

 Professor Bridwell laughed.  "I daresay—at our time of life—leisure hours seem so unobtainable..."  He looked at his cigarette case, polishing it with a thumb. Seeming to think better of smoking just then, however, he returned the case to his vest pocket. 

 Gretchen's smile was thin. She inclined her head, acknowledging the truth of what he said—they were indeed probably of an age. Certainly, she thought he could be no more than thirty-three or thereabouts. "Then, too, music, while an engaging diversion, and the source of much happiness, is better shared, wouldn't you say Professor?"  He nodded slightly, and Gretchen clarified her 

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