Edward S. Van Zile

“ I'm beginning to formulate a theory about this kind of thing, my dear." Tom placed the open book face downward and turned squarely toward me. "Music, you see, may be, like electricity, imprisoned, as it were, in a universe of both conductors and nonconductors. It may be that a temperament, like mine for instance, that is permanently a non-conductor might, under given conditions, become temporarily a conductor. Chopin played like a master at nine years of age. He had become a conductor, and remained so permanently. ”

“ Tom turned instantly and a gleam of anger flashed in his eyes as they met mine. "If you cannot treat this matter with the seriousness that I think it deserves, Winifred, you would do well to retire. It's no joke. When I make a donkey of myself before a lot of perfectly respectable people, I consider it a matter of some importance. You don't seem to grasp the full horror of it all. ”

“ Suppose that I should have an attack of—what shall I call it?— Chopinitis—in the court-room? Suppose I should suddenly begin to sing—or perhaps whistle a—what-d'you-call-'em?—pianoforte concerto?—what would the judge say? ”