She looked at him a little amazed. For the first time she caught herself admiring him. She admired the calm, straightforward, unqualified way he had said that he was a much better teacher than Razounov. It was not conceit. She was glad he knew how to appraise himself. She admired him for not being afraid to do so. In her eyes was the message: “So you too have found out that overmodesty is not a virtue? So have I.” But it was impossible to remark upon it. She plunged into the financial side of the question. “So somebody has been paying three guineas a week for me?” (And she thought: “Whoever is it?”) “Certainly. You don’t imagine Razounov would give lessons for nothing, do you?” “That is to say, _you_ wouldn’t give lessons for nothing, isn’t it?” “Certainly. I am not a philanthropist. I have other interests besides music. Music is only my way of getting a living. I never even reduce my fees except--except--well----” “Yes?--except when?” He turned away his head as he replied: “Except in cases where the pupil has no money yet supreme musical genius.” She flared up passionately. “Look here,” she said, “why d’you keep on rubbing it in? How do you know I shan’t be a great pianist? I say, how do you know? I tell you, I don’t believe you. You wait; you’ll see me at the top before long. And then you’ll have to eat your words. You’re got a good opinion of yourself, haven’t you? Well, so have I. See? ... And I tell you I _will_ get to the top! I’ll show you you’re wrong! See?” “I hope you will,” he said quietly. And added: “I’m glad my criticism doesn’t discourage you. It isn’t meant to.” To which she was on the point of replying: “But it _has_ discouraged me. There have been times when----” She did not say that. There came a pause. Then she reverted to the financial side of the business. “So somebody’s already paid nearly a hundred pounds for me.” “Sixty, I believe. The last quarter has not been paid yet.” (And then the idea came to her immediately--George Trant!) “Aren’t your fees payable in advance?” she asked sharply. “As a general rule, yes.” “Then why did you make an exception in my case?” “Because I know the person fairly well, and am confident of being paid soon. That’s all.” “Is it?” “Certainly,” he replied brusquely. “If your anonymous benefactor doesn’t pay up within the next couple of months the arrangement between you and me will terminate on the first of March. As I said before, I am not a philanthropist.” “Obviously not.” “I hope it is obvious. I have often been mistaken for one.” “Curious! I can scarcely believe it.... Have you the address of my anonymous benefactor?” “I dare say I have it somewhere about. Why?” “Because I want you to write and tell him something.” “Indeed? And what am I to tell him?” “Tell him he needn’t trouble to pay the last quarter’s fees. I will pay them myself.” “I hope you can easily spare the money----”