Here,as in the instance of the pictures,your good-nature and kindness carry you far beyond what I ever dreamed of asking.Imerely thought that in some of your moments of leisure you could jot down some books and subjects that would be the same as if you had pointed out smooth and shady paths.You see,in my ignorance,I've tried to push my way through the wilderness straight across everything.Last evening I pestered my father with so many questions about politics and the topics of the day,that he thought I had lost my wits."Mr.Mayhew leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily,as he mentally ejaculated:"Well done,little girl!""I will brush up my literary ideas,and do the best I can,very gladly,"said Van Berg."But you greatly underrate yourself and overrate my ability.I am still but on the edge of this wilderness of knowledge myself,and in crossing a wilderness one likes company.""Oh,I could never keep up with your manly strides,"said Ida,with a sudden trill of laughter."Having secured my wish,I shall now reward you with some very poor music,which will suggest my need of lessons in that direction also."Van Berg was not long in discovering that she would never become a great musician,no matter how many lessons she had.But she played with taste and a graceful rhythm,which proved that music in its simplest forms might become a language by which she could express her thought and feeling.
"Ida,"said Mr.Mayhew,a little abruptly,"I wish to see a friend at the club.I'll be back before the evening is over.""Please don't stay long,"Ida answered,looking wistfully after him.
Then they found some ballad-music that they could sing together,and Van Berg expressed great pleasure in finding how well their voices blended.
"You have modestly kept quite all summer,and I am just finding out that you play and sing,"he said.
"I would not have the confidence to do either at a hotel.I shall never be able to do any more than furnish a little simple home music to friends,not critics.""I'm content with that arrangement,for I have finally dropped my character of critic.""But true friends never flatter,"she said."If you won't help me overcome my faults I shall have to find another friend.""As you recommended an ancient woman as nurse,so I will recommend the venerable friend you have already found,and ask you to let him do all the fault-finding."She turned to him and said earnestly:"Mr.Van Berg,are you not a sufficiently sincere friend to tell me my faults?""Yes,Miss Ida,if you ask me to."
"Only as you do so can you keep my respect.""You are very much in earnest.I never saw greater fidelity to conscience before;and I should be very sorry if,for any cause,your conscience were arrayed against me."She suddenly buried her face in her hands and trembled.Then turning from him to her piano again she faltered:"I disregarded conscience once and I suffered deeply,"and in the depths of her soul she added,"and I fear I shall again.""Miss Ida,"he said impetuously,"I cannot tell you what a fascination your new,beautiful life has for me as seen against the dark background of memories which neither you nor I can ever wholly banish.But I am causing you pain now,"for she became very pale,as was ever the case when there was the faintest allusion to the awful crime which she had contemplated."Forgive me,"he added earnestly,"and sing,please,that little meadow brook song,of which I caught a few bars last evening.That,I think,must contain an antidote against all morbid thoughts.""You are mistaken,"she said."It's very silly and sentimental;you won't like it."