There really wasn't any study class this week--that is, Dr. Dubbe did
not appear. While the class waited for him and wondered if he were ill
a messenger brought me the following note:
"My Dear Poeta: Kindly inform the class that there will be no
lecture this week. I cannot stand for such a trivial program as Herr
Thomas has prepared.
C. F.-D."
"He might have told us sooner," said Miss Georgiana Gush.
"Why, yes; he knew last week what the next program would be," said Mrs.
Faran-Dole.
"The eccentricity of genius, my dear," remarked Mrs. Gottem-Allbeat.
"Genius is not tied down by rules of conduct of any sort."
"Well," said Mrs. Givu A. Payne, "I don't blame him for not wanting to
analyze this week's program. There isn't a bit of Bach or Brahms on it."
"Ladies," said Miss Ellenborough, coming forward with a gentleman who
had just arrived, "let me introduce Mr. Booth Tarkington, of Indiana.
Mr. Tarkington came up to attend the lecture, but as Dr. Dubbe will not
be here Mr. Tarkington has kindly consented to give a doughnut recital,
so to speak."
"Oh, how lovely!" we all exclaimed.
"Mr. Tarkington," added Miss Ellenborough, "is well known as the author
of the Beaucaire doughnut, the pride of Indiana doughnutdom."
Saying which Miss Ellenborough removed the screen that conceals her work
table and Mr. Tarkington, in an incredibly short time, produced a batch
of Beaucaires. They were really excellent, and we didn't leave a single
one. Mr. Everham Chumpleigh Keats poured.
After tea we all adjourned to the concert, which we enjoyed immensely,
in spite of the absence of Bach and Brahms. Not knocking Dr. Dubbe.