Wasn't it your singing, the admiration of the public, the bouquets and bravas? What caught the moth once will catch it again 'moping' won't. And surely you will not refuse to draw him, merely because you can pull me out of a fix into the bargain. Look here, I have undertaken to find a singer by to-morrow night; and what chance is there of my getting even a third-rate one? Why, the very hour I have spent so agreeably, talking to you, has diminished my chance.""Oh!" said Ina, "this is _driving_ me into your net.""I own it," said Joseph, cheerfully; "I'm quite unscrupulous, because Iknow you will thank me afterward."
"The very idea of going back to the stage makes me tremble," said Ina.
"Of course it does; and those who tremble succeed. In a long experience Inever knew an instance to the contrary. It is the conceited fools, who feel safe, that are in danger.""What is the part?"
"One you know--Siebel in 'Faust,' with two new songs.""Excuse me, I do not know it."
"Why, everybody knows it."
"You mean everybody has heard it sung. I know neither the music nor the words, and I cannot sing incorrectly even for you.""Oh, you can master the airs in a day, and the cackle in half an hour.""I am not so expeditious. If you are serious, get me the book--oh! he calls the poet's words the cackle--and the music of the part directly, and borrow me the score.""Borrow you the score! Ah! that shows the school you were bred in. I gaze at you with admiration.""Then please don't, for we have not a moment to waste. You have terrified me out of my senses. Fly!""Yes; but before I fly, there is something to be settled--salary!""As much as they will give."