Betty murmured. "How splendid. I'd no idea the big ones had
to keep it up like that."

"There is great ignorance about an artist's life," Karen continued
coldly to inform her. "Do you not know what von Bulow said: If I miss my
practising for one day I notice it; if for two days my friends notice
it; if I miss it for three days the public notices it. The artist is
like an acrobat, juggling always, intent always on his three golden
balls kept flying in the air. That is what it is like. Every atom of
their strength is used. People, like my guardian, literally give their
lives for the world."

"Oh, yes, it is wonderful, of course," Betty assented. "But of course
they must enjoy it; it can hardly be called a sacrifice."

"Enjoy is a very small word to apply to such a great thing," said Karen.
"You may say also, if you like, that the saint enjoys his life of
suffering for others. It is his life to give himself to goodness; it is
the artist's life to give himself to beauty. But it is beauty and
goodness they seek, not enjoyment; we must not try to measure these
great people by our standards."

Before this arraignment Betty showed a tact for which Gregory was
grateful to her. He, as so often, found Karen, in her innocent
sententiousness, at once absurd and adorable, but he could grant that to
Betty she might seem absurd only.

"Don't be cross with me, Karen," she said. "I suppose I am feeling sore
at being snubbed by Madame von Marwitz."

"But indeed she did not mean to snub you, Betty," said Karen earnestly.
"And I am not cross; please do not think that. Only I cannot bear to
hear some of the things that are said of artists."

"Well, prove that you're not cross," said Betty, smiling, "by at last
giving me an afternoon when we can do something together. Will you come
and see the pictures at Burlington House with me to-morrow and have tea
with me afterwards? I've really seen nothing of you for so long."

"To-morrow is promised to Tante, Betty. I'm so sorry. Her great concert
is to be on Friday, you know; and till then, and on the Saturday, I have
said that I will be with her. She gets so very tired. And I know how to
take care of her when she is tired like that."

"Oh, dear!" Betty sighed. "There is no hope for us poor little people,
is there, while Madame von Marwitz is in London. Well, on Monday, then,
Karen. Will you promise me Monday afternoon?"

"Monday is free, and I shall like so very much to come, Betty," Kar