Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

HENSELT 235
did some time between the 26th and 30th of May
he liked to say good-bye to his most intimate friends
and pupils at the railway-station. On these occasions
we all used to bring bouquets, which his servant-man
arranged all round the inside of the coui[)i, in which
the Meister always travelled alone. Everything was
arranged for him by the two ladies, who were quite
like daughters—and very devoted ones, too. Well-
filled provision-baskets, fruit, cigars, all were in the
carriage, and so arranged as to give him no trouble
ia getting at them. Perhaps you will think they
spoiled him—and you are quite right, for even he
himself said so. From his youth up he had resolved
to know nothing of what he called ' les petites miseres
de la lie.'
Wherever he turned ia his house, whether in St.
Petersburg or in Warmbrunn, he expected to find his
wishes had been anticipated. In the families with
whom year after year he dined on stated days, what
he liked was known, and ia many cases they would
beg him to order his dianer beforehand ; and he
would do so, for he knew they were pleased in beiag
thus treated as if they were actually related to him.
On such occasions, too, he liked to be allowed to avail
himself of the usages of St. Petersburg hospitality, by
which, when asked to join the family dinner, you are
not bound to remain for the evening. Henselt was so
thoroughly at home in all the houses where he went
to dine, that if he fancied a siesta he would take it
—