:46:23
Well, what then?
:46:29
Then for weeks I never saw him.
:46:32
The charwoman told me he was ill.
Creditors had taken his piano.
:46:37
Eventually he came into the shop
looking very pale
:46:41
and asked for two shillings worth
of large orchestral sheets,
:46:44
placing a two shilling piece
on the counter.
:46:47
I knew it was his last.
:46:50
If I could only help him!
If I only dared!
:46:54
I could lend him money.
I wanted to tell him so.
:46:58
But I was also shy.
:47:01
Nevertheless
I was determined to help.
:47:04
I gave him some extra sheets
and as he was about leave
:47:07
I called him back:
:47:09
You've forgotten your change.
:47:11
There must be a mistake, he said.
:47:13
Not at all, I answered.
:47:14
You gave me half a crown,
here's sixpence change.
:47:18
Then I realized I had created
a ridiculous situation.
:47:21
To make matters worse
in came Mr. Sardou:
:47:24
Can I be of any assistance?
:47:26
It isn't necessary, I said quickly.
:47:28
The gentleman gave me half a crown
and forgot his change.
:47:31
However,
Mr. Sardou made him take it.
:47:34
But as soon as he left
Mr. Sardou went through the till
:47:38
and finding no half crown there,
became suspicious.
:47:41
The discrepancy was discovered
and I was discharged.
:47:44
What did you do then?
:47:45
I tried to get back to dancing,
then I collapsed with rheumatic fever.
:47:50
Did you ever see
this young composer again?
:47:53
Yes, five months later.
After I came out of the hospital.
:47:57
I saw him from the gallery
of the Albert Hall.