“Yes professor, right away.”
Turning to Alexandra he said, “Good morning. Won’t you please come in?”
“Good morning to you too, Maestro – and thank you. You have a lovely home. It’s every bit as charming as I could have imagined.” Despite the fact every possible window in the study was open, she could still detect the faint odour of cigar smoke.
“Thank you Alexandra, please, sit down!” he said with enthusiasm. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you Maestro.” She sat on the sofa and looked around at all the plaques he had from around the world, the shelves along the walls filled with books of music, and of course the grand Steinway piano in the centre of the room.
“I didn’t know you played the piano, Maestro!”
“Yes I do. However, the violin is my first love. I find the piano a bit awkward to take anywhere on the train,” he said, chuckling.
Alexandra laughed as she spoke. “Well, I suppose you’re right, Maestro! I love my violin, I can take it anywhere and everywhere – and I do.”
The stone fireplace, complete with a fine mantle, did not escape her attention.
“We won’t be needing that today,” said the professor.
“Yes it is warm today, Maestro, but autumn will soon be here. My papa likes autumn. It’s his favourite season and it’s mine too. What’s your favourite season, Maestro?”
“Mine is spring. I find it rejuvenating after a long, dreary winter.”
The door soon opened and Cora entered carrying a tray with two glasses of lemonade. She placed the tray down on the polished surface of the coffee table. With steady hands, Alexandra reached for a glass.
“Will there be anything else, sir?”
“Thank you, Cora, no.”
She left the two musicians alone with their music and conversation.
“I have no money to pay you, Maestro,” she said, sipping her drink. “My papa told me I have to save all my tip money.”
“Remember, these are not music lessons in the strictest sense of the word, so no money shall change hands. As I said earlier, I hope we can learn together. We can meet three days a week.”
“Shall we start?” she said, placing her glass down.
The professor nodded.
Alexandra smiled and set about to open her violin case. The professor watched. He took his own violin in hand.
“Let’s start with an interesting technique,” he said, looking quite pleased.
Chapter 10
Professor Hergicksen enjoyed his musical sessions with Alexandra. As the days passed, an idea occurred to him. Early one morning he stepped into the café, the brass bell clanging brightly. He saw Alexandra right away.
“Good morning, Maestro! Won’t you have a seat?” she said, interrupting her work with the morning diners.
“Thank you, my dear!” He took a seat near the window. “I wouldn’t mind –”
“A cup of coffee?” Alexandra said, smiling. “I know – black.”
“Very good! You might now call me a regular! By the way, would your father be in? I should like to speak with him.”
Alexandra turned and skipped off to the kitchen. A few moments later Joseph emerged, removed his cook’s apron and sat across the table from the professor.
“Good morning, Joseph,” the professor said amidst the chatter and clatter in the café.
“The same to you, Professor Hergicksen.”
“Please, Joseph, call me Hergie.”
“Very well, Hergie, what brings you here today? Did Alexandra have a good lesson?”
“Yes, yes, very good, but I’m not here about that. I came here because I wanted to speak with you.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, yes! I have not mentioned anything to Alexandra, but there is a new conservatory of music opening in Toronto. I am well familiar with the people who will run it, and I think it would be splendid, and serve Alexandra’s musical ambitions, if we were all to pay them a visit. Perhaps we could call it a little musical holiday. It would also be a good opportunity to meet other musicians and to see what music is like in the big city.”
Joseph rubbed his forehead. He turned his head towards the kitchen as if he was looking to see where Alexandra was. He rubbed his chin once and leaned forward.
“Hergie, your timing couldn’t be more perfect. I was meaning to ask you something, too. Before Alexandra returns, I want to say it’s a splendid idea you have. In fact, not only that, it’s a marvellous idea. She doesn’t know it yet, but I want to get her a new violin, so I would like to, if you don’t mind, impose on your kindness by seeking your expert advice in getting her this new instrument. I can think of no one better. I believe there must be several shops in Toronto.”
“It’s no imposition whatsoever, Joseph. Nothing would please me more.”
“Good. There’s one more thing, Hergie,” Joseph added. “Please do not mention a word about this new violin to Alexandra. Not a word.”
The professor thought it was strange of Joseph to make such a request, but perhaps he wanted to surprise her. “Very well then.”
At that moment, a smiling Alexandra came with two cups of coffee and sat next to her father. The two men were silent.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, eyes darting between each man. “Did I interrupt your conversation?”
The professor remained silent.
“I have some news for you, Angel,” said Joseph. “What would you say if I told you that the three of us are going to Toronto to visit the new conservatory?”
“Really, Papa?” she said before turning to the professor. “I’ve always dreamt of going to the big city! What’s it like at the conservatory? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see how all the musicians work together? We could hear so many different kinds of instruments, maybe we could even meet some of the musicians? Oh it’s like a dream come true!”
“You truly are a musician, Alexandra,” the professor said, chuckling. “You’re a born musician through and through.”
“Of course I’d love to go, Maestro! Papa, may I ask Emma to join us?”
Joseph looked at the girl, pausing a moment as if he were giving her request fair and full consideration. “All right, you may,” replied Joseph. “That is, of course, if Mrs. Brindle will allow her daughter to travel that far away from home in the company of yourself and two men.”
“Very good now,” said the professor, not caring how the situation with Emma would turn out. “Alexandra, your coffee is delicious, as always. If it’s convenient for you both, I’ll make the arrangements and we’ll leave on Tuesday.”
* * *
When the day arrived for the trip to Toronto, Marcie was already at work. She’d arrived well before opening time to prepare for the extra workload which would befall her, Bill, and Sophie.
As she arranged the usual fresh-cut flowers on each table, she heard the sound of light footsteps descending the stairs. She glanced once in the direction of the sound and, turning a second time, fixed her gaze on the young woman there. Alexandra was clutching her violin case in one arm and holding the front of her dress slightly up with the other. She was wearing an apricot-pink dress, and a matching bonnet was tied neatly under her chin.
“Bonjour, mademoiselle!” said Marcie, “You look fantastique today for your very big trip to Toronto! When do you leave?”
“Merci Marcie!” said Alexandra, all smiles. “The Maestro is coming here first in his carriage and then we will all go together to the train station. But first I’ll prepare myself something to eat. I’m so hungry!”
“Oh you just sit right down!” said Marcie. “I’ve made French toast for you! I’ll bring it right out.”
It was a rare day Marcie served anything to Alexandra, but this time she not only served her French toast with syrup, but also sat down next to her at the counter and sipped on a cup of tea.
“Where’s your father?”
“He had some errands to do. He’ll return soon.�
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“All right,” said Marcie. “By the way, where will you stay in Toronto?”
“The Maestro has reserved rooms for us at the Queen’s Hotel. Papa says it’s a very luxurious hotel, one of the best. I’ve never stayed in a hotel, Marcie, and I can just imagine what it would be like. Maybe there are servants, doormen, a waiter for every table? Wouldn’t it be grand! Oh, I wish you could come with us! We’d have such a wonderful time!”
Marcie took another sip of her tea and placed her hand on Alexandra’s shoulder.
“Now you go there and have a good time! Don’t think about me; I’ll get there yet!”
Alexandra frowned. “Wouldn’t you like to travel, Marcie? Go on a bit of a holiday and leave Windsor and Essex County – at least for a while? I mean, the world is really such a big place and it’s getting bigger all the time. Don’t you have any dreams? I think everyone should have a dream, everyone should create...” She paused. “Create something in their lives.”
“Well now, my dear, I have six children at home, no, seven! I forgot my husband, so it’s hard to dream of anything beyond what I should make them for dinner the next day!”
Alexandra lowered her head for a few moments, raised it back up and sighed. “Can I play a song for you, Marcie?”
“Of course you can! But isn’t the Maestro coming soon?”
“I have time.”
When Alexandra finished her breakfast, she opened her violin case, removed the instrument, and turned a small knob on the end of her bow and perched the violin on her shoulder. “What would you like to hear, Marcie?”
“I’m not sure! I usually don’t get asked this question everyday!” she said, laughing. “Maybe you can play ‘Au Clair de la Lune?’ It’s always been one of my favourites.”
“I like that one, too,” said Alexandra, smiling. Marcie watched and listened as Alexandra gracefully wove her way through the tune. Marcie thought about her time in Berlin, how her mother and grandmother sang the song to her and, of course, of how she used to run and play with her little brother. Before Alexandra finished the song, Marcie noticed that the girl’s smile had faded and she appeared noticeably somber.
“Bravo!” Marcie said. “You played it exactly as I remember it.”
“Thank you.” Alexandra placed the violin down on her lap and loosened the knob on her bow.
“Is something wrong?” asked Marcie.
“Yes. No. I don’t know. I don’t know what to think or what to say. I – I don’t want you to think I’m crazy!”
Out of the corner of her eye, Marcie caught the sight of a horse and carriage stopping in front of the café.
“I think the Maestro is here!” said Marcie. The coach carrying Prof. Hergicksen had indeed arrived. A few moments later, Joseph returned.
“Are you ready, Angel?” he asked.
“Yes, Papa.”
“I thought you’d be happier than that to go to the big city! All right then, let’s be on our way.”
He and Alexandra stepped outside. Marcie, wiping at wet eyes, smiled and thought about the private musical performance her boss’s daughter had given her. She leaned in the doorway, watching them disappear down the road.
* * *
Despite her experience in the café with Marcie, Alexandra was pleased that her trip was beginning in such style. She viewed this as a taste of wonderful things to come. The professor, wearing a top hat and dark suit, swung the door of the coach open. The pair entered with Joseph taking Alexandra by the hand, helping her navigate the little step going into the carriage. He tossed their bags up to the coachman, climbed inside and closed the door. They were off.
They didn’t have far to go. The train station was busy as usual as the threesome arrived. They saw a beaming Emma and her mother there along with several bags deposited near their feet.
“Good morning, Mrs. Brindle!” Alexandra said as she stepped off the carriage. Emma was equally well dressed for her trip to the big city, wearing an olive colour dress and matching hat.
“You all have a wonderful time in Toronto!” Mrs. Brindle said as she handed Emma a carpet bag containing what Alexandra thought Emma would need for an entire fortnight – even though they would only be away three days.
After collecting their belongings from the coach, they set off towards the waiting train. The big, hulking train stood next to the platform, and Alexandra could see the enormous black engine at the front. As the mechanical beast sat idling, she could see small puffs of white steam rising and evaporating from near its wheels, while lazy wisps of black smoke rose into the air from its main smokestack. The whole engine looked rather impatient, she thought. It seemed unnatural just sitting there, as if it would be more comfortable hurtling down the tracks at speed.
“Come on, Alexandra dear!” said the professor, who had just boarded the train, “Don’t dawdle!”
The first class cabin was indeed everything she thought it might be. It featured plush upholstery, the finest patterned carpeting, sconces on each panelled wall, luxurious drapery and even tables between the fore and rear-facing seats. As the gentlemen in their suits and ladies in their fine dresses boarded, Prof. Hergicksen motioned to Alexandra and Emma.
“You two may sit here.”
They were delighted. Alexandra sat near the window on the left side of the train, hoping to get a good view of Lake St. Clair as they passed. Emma seemed happy with the aisle seat. The two men sat in rear facing seats directly opposite the two friends, a table between the men and girls.
The conductor called out the traditional “All aboard!” and closed the door. A clanging bell seemed to wake the big steam engine from its slumber. It huffed and chugged, and Alexandra could imagine that engine coming to life, spewing a towering black plume of soot high into the air. Smoothly, the train began to move and the landscape started sliding past their window.
Alexandra watched as the town of Windsor gave way to the lush green fields and woodlots of Essex County. As she sat mesmerized by the passing scenery which flashed by her window, she imagined all this land as a massive forest – untouched by Europeans eager to clear away the land and establish homesteads. Now most of the forest was gone, replaced by vast farm fields, though every once in a while she could see the wounded land where part of a forest once stood, with hacked, splintered tree stumps protruding from the ground, logs and branches swept up into windrows to be burnt. Oftentimes she could see the orange glow of these fires all the way from the café and, if the wind was right, she could even smell the smoke.
Since it was August, everything was at its prime – especially the corn. From her window on the train, Alexandra could see ripples of wind fanning across the great expanses of those fields which had, years ago, surrendered their forest majesty to the advancement of humanity. Occasionally, she could see a small flock of passenger pigeons flying from one woodlot to another. She remembered her father telling her there used to be many more of these birds, millions upon millions in fact, so many they could blacken the sky at noon as they flew overhead. He concluded by telling her that the few which remained were an easy target for hunters and a cheap source of food.
She glanced at the two men sitting opposite. They were engaged in an animated, lively discussion about some topic, using hand gestures to reinforce whatever points they were making.
“Aydy?” asked Emma, “Are you going to play your violin in Toronto?”
Alexandra blinked. She turned to Emma and smiled. “What? Well, I brought it with me so I think yes – but only if the Maestro wants me to.”
The train chugged steadily along, the steam whistle blowing at every crossing.
“I really hope he does ask you. But I have a question. How can you play it with your eyes closed? I can’t even play it with my eyes open!”
“Oh that’s because it’s really a magic violin!” Alexandra said, winking. “That’s why I can play it with my eyes closed.”
“But I can’t play it at all! Is it only magic for you?” Emma asked,
her eyes amplified and made more inquisitive by her glasses.
“Oh, Emma!” Alexandra said, folding her arms in her lap and sulking. “You’re making me feel so very low!” She turned sideways in her seat, facing Emma, and continued. “Wouldn’t it just be perfectly dreadful if, after all this time, the whole thing turned out to be a cruel joke? If the violin were really magic, and it worked only for me, that means I don’t have any talent at all!” She crossed her arms again and pouted.
Her father, appearing distracted, cast a wary glance across the table before resuming his conversation with the professor.
“I’m sure you can play it even if it’s not a magic violin!”
Aydy's Fiddle - The Memory Thief Page 8