s the
usual battle with his violin strings, while the audience waits patient,
only exchangin' a smile now and then when Blair shows his disposition
strongest.

At last, though, after makin' the accompanist take two fresh starts,
he's off. Some goulash rhapsody, I believe it was, by a guy whose name
sounds like a sneezin' fit. But, take it from me, that sharp-faced
little wisp could do things to a violin! Zowie! He could just naturally
make it sing, with weeps and laughs, and moans and giggles, and groans
and cusswords, all strung along a jumpy, jerky little air that sort of
played hide and seek with itself. Music? I should quiver! He had us all
sittin' up with our ears stretched, and when he finishes and the
applause starts in like a sudden shower on a tin roof what does he do
but turn away with a bored look and shoot some spicy remark at the young
lady pianist!

Next he gives a lullaby kind of thing, that's as sweet and touchin' as
anything Farrar or Gluck could put over. He's just windin' that up and
we're gettin' ready with more handclaps, when----

"Woof! Woof-woof!"

Some of the ladies gasps panicky. I got a little start myself, before I
tumbled to what it was; for in through the draperies behind Sukey has
shuffled about as good an imitation of a black bear as you'd want to
see; a big, bulky bear, all complete, even to the dishpan paws and the
wicked little eyes. It's scuffin' along on all-fours, waddlin' lifelike
from side to side and lettin' out that deep, grumbly "Woof! Woof!"
remark.

Blair is so deep in his music that he don't hear it for a minute. Then
he must have caught on from the folks in front that something was up.
He stops, glarin' indignant through his big glasses. Then he turns.

It wa'n't exactly a scream he lets out, nor a moan. It's the sort of a
weird, muffled noise you'll sometimes make in your sleep, after a late
welsh rabbit. I didn't think he could turn any whiter; but he does. His
face has about as much color left in it as a marshmallow.

Then the thing on the floor rears up on its hind legs until it tops
Blair by two feet, and there comes another of them deep "Woofs!"

I was lookin' for him to pass away complete; but he don't. He sets his
jaw, tosses his violin on a chair, grabs the music rack, and swings it
over his shoulder defiant.

"Come on, you brute!" he breathes husky. "I don't know what you are;
but----"

Just what happens next, though, is a cry of "Shame, shame!" Someo