What are they saying? The sister is lamenting that she cannot "go to the concert at Cologne" and her brother reminds her of their poverty. Then she wishes that "for once in her life" she "could hear some really good music". What happens next? Beethoven decides to enter the house. How does the writer impress this fact on the reader? By giving the argument between himself and Beethoven. What were the latter's reasons? The player had "feeling, genius, understanding", and these qualities are so rarely found that Beethoven could not neglect them. Explain these terms. The player showed refined feeling in her interpretation of the music, genius in her skill on the piano, and thorough understanding of the composer's purposes in the composition. Was it only for his own pleasure that the composer entered? No, he wished to give pleasure to one who could so well appreciate his work. Describe the scene. A young shoemaker is seated at his work. He is pale from the effects of confinement and toil. A young girl with an abundance of light hair is leaning on an "old-fashioned piano". What does this piano show? That their parents had very probably been lovers of music, and the piano may have been an heirloom. What comes next? The musician explains the reasons for his intrusion. How did the brother look upon it? The young man seemed annoyed at first. How was this annoyance overcome? The manner of Beethoven was so comical and pleasant that the young man's annoyance passed away. How had Beethoven addressed the brother and sister? His manner was very confused. He wished to conceal his name, and yet wished to give pleasure to the young girl. How does he show his confusion? The sentences "I, I also ... play for you", are such halting ones. He does not make his sentences complete. What was the next part of the conversation? The young man tells Beethoven that the "piano is so wretched" and they "have no music". What is the purpose of this statement in the story? It shows Beethoven that the young girl is blind and plays these difficult compositions by ear. How had she learned to play this Sonata? She had heard a lady "practising" it, and "walked to and fro" in front of the house in order "to listen to it". What does this show? What a love of music and wonderful natural ability the young girl possessed. What is the next action in the story? Beethoven plays.