Page:Wiggin--Ladies-in-waiting.djvu/59

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MISS THOMASINA TUCKER



attracted her and wakened an instantaneous response.

“But go on,” he said. “I only know as yet that you sailed from New York in the early summer, as I did.”

“Well, I went to London to join a great friend, a singer, Helena Markham. Have you heard of her?”

“No; is she an American?”

“Yes, a Western girl, from Montana, with oh! such a magnificent voice and such a big talent!” (The outward sweep of Tommy’s hands took in the universe.) “We’ve had some heavenly weeks together. I play accompaniments, and—”

“I know you do!”

“I forgot for the moment how much too much you know! I went with her to Birmingham, and Manchester, and Leeds, and Liverpool. I was n’t really grand enough for her, but the audiences did n’t notice me, Helena was so superb. In between I took some lessons of Henschel. He told me I had n’t much voice, but very nice brains. I am always called

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