I thought how very ridiculous it would look for me to go into a room with a large milk-can in my hands, and did not like her proposal. There was, however, no other way if I did not want to arouse suspicion, so next day I pulled the bell of the imposing house. I could hear it ring from within, and the sound made me still more uncomfortable. I wished the milk-can at the bottom of the sea, and while I stood there waiting I thought for a moment of hiding that disgraceful thing. I looked round for a suitable corner, but then I was afraid that it might be stolen, so I kept it in my hand, and only tried to hide it as much as possible behind me when the door opened and a maid asked what I wanted. Colouring deeply, I told her why I had come, and she begged me to step in. She led the way into a room, which I thought was the most magnificent room I had ever seen. There was a very large looking-glass, and the very first thing I saw in it was myself. The second thing I saw was the milk-can, and I looked away quickly; never before had it seemed to me so big and ugly. A few minutes passed, and still I was left alone. Just when I was beginning to regret that I had come at all, the door opened, and a slender, sweet-looking woman entered the room. The lady was Risa de Vall, the teacher of music and languages. As soon as she saw me she smiled a very faint little smile, which I thought was due to the milk-can, and in my heart of hearts I reproached that article bitterly.
"I am told that you wish to take lessons in the English language; is that so?"
I blushed with shame, but answered truthfully:
She was silent for awhile, and looked at me with keen, searching eyes.
"Very well then, my hours are from eight o'clock in the morning till six o'clock in the evening. When do you want to have your lesson?"
"Oh, I am so very sorry, but I cannot come before eight in the evening."
And, after I had said that, tears filled my eyes.
She smiled again, but that time so kindly that I felt certain the milk-can had no part in it, and to my greatest delight I heard her say:
"I suppose I must make an exception for once, and give you your lesson at a time convenient to you."
With some hesitation I asked for her terms, secretly fearing that it might not be possible after all.