shoes," said Mildred.

"And indigestion--you have that?"

"A little, I guess."

"Much--much, I tell you!" cried Moldini, shaking the long finger at
her. "You Americans! You eat too fast and you eat too much. That is
why you are always sick, and consulting the doctors who give the
medicines that make worse, not better. Yes, you Americans are like
children. You know nothing. Sing? Americans cannot sing until they
learn that a stomach isn't a waste-basket, to toss everything into. You
have been to that throat specialist, Hicks?"

"Ah, yes," said Mildred brightening. "He said there was nothing
organically wrong."

"He is an ass, and a criminal. He ruins throats. He likes to cut, and
he likes to spray. He sprays those poisons that relieve colds and
paralyze the throat and cords. Americans sing? It is to laugh! They
have too many doctors; they take too many pills. Do you know what your
national emblem should be? A dollar-sign--yes. But that for all
nations. No, a pill--a pill, I tell you. You take pills?"

"Now and then," said Mildred, laughing. "I admit I have several kinds
always on hand."

"You see!" cried he triumphantly. "No, it is not mere art that America
needs, but more sense about eating--and to keep away from the doctors.
People full of pills, they cannot make poems and pictures, and write
operas and sing them. Throw away those pills, dear young lady, I
implore you."

"Signor Moldini, I've come to ask you to help me."

Instantly the Italian cleared his face of its half-humorous,
half-querulous expression. In its place came a grave and courteous
eagerness to serve her that was a pleasure, even if it was not
altogether sincere. And Mildred could not believe it sincere. Why
should he care what became of her, or be willing to put himself out for
her?

"You told me one day that you had at one time taught singing,"
continued she.

"Until I was starved out?" replied he. "I told people the truth. If
they could not sing I said so. If they sang badly I told them why, and
it was always the upset stomach, the foolish food, and people will not
take care about food. They will eat what they please, and they say
eating is good for them, and that anyone who opposes them is a crank.
So most of my pupils left, except those I taught for nothing--and they
did not heed me, and came to nothing."

"You showed me in ten minutes one day how to cure my worst fault. I've
sung better, more naturally