“I don’t want anything,” I said. “You have already given me much.”

He wrinkled his forehead.

“Ah, you’re a music enthusiast, are you? I think it’s disgusting to go mad over music.”

I did not let myself be intimidated.

“I have so often listened to your playing, there in the church,” I said. “But I don’t want to bother you. I thought perhaps I should discover something in you, something special, I don’t know exactly what. But please don’t mind me. I can listen to you in the church.”

“Why, I always lock the door!”

“Just lately you forgot, and I sat inside. Otherwise I stand outside or sit on the curbstone.”