Mildred Pierce - James M. Cain [114]
This resolve remained hot in her mouth, but back of it, like a fishbone across her throat, was her determination that Veda, and not herself, would have to make the first move. She tried to put this aside, and drove to Veda's one morning with every intention of stopping, ringing the bell, and going in. But as she approached the little white apartment house, she hurriedly told Tommy to drive on without stopping, and leaned far back in the car to avoid being seen, as she had done that morning at Mrs. Lenhardt's. She felt hot-faced and silly, and the next time she decided to visit Veda she drove the 'car herself, and went alone. Again she went by without stopping. Then she took to driving past Veda's at night, and peeping, hoping to see her. Once she did see her, and quickly pulled in at the curb. Taking care not to slam the car door, she slipped out of the car and crept to the window. Veda was at a piano, playing. Then suddenly the miracle voice was everywhere, going through glass and masonry as though they were air. Mildred waited, a-tremble, until the song was finished, then ran back to her car and drove off.
But the broadcasts continued, and Mildred's feeling of being left out in the cold increased, until it became intolerable. Veda didn't appear again on the Snack-O-Ham program. To Mildred's astonishment, her regular spot on the air was Wednesdays, at 3.15, as part of the Treviso Hour, offered by star purpils of the same Carlo Treviso who had once closed the piano so summarily over her knuckles. And then, after listening to two of these broadcasts, and drinking in Veda's singing and everything 'the announcer said about her, Mildred had an idea. By making use of Mr. Treviso, she could compel Veda to call her on the phone, to thank her for favors rendered. After that, pride would be sashfled and almost anything might happen.
So presently she was in the same old anteroom, with the same old vocalizing going on inside, and her temper growing hotter and hotter. But when Mr. Treviso finally received her, she had herself under what she thought was perfect controL As he gave no sign of recognition, she recalled herself to him, and he looked at 'her sharply, then bowed, but otherwise made no comment. She then made her little speech, which sounded stiff, and no doubt was supposed to sound stiff. "Mr. Treviso, I've come on a matter that I shall have to ask you to keep confidential, and when I tell you the reason, I'm 'sure you'll be only too glad to do so. My daughter Veda, I believe, is now taking lessons from you. Now for reasons best known to herself, she prefers to have nothing to do with me at the moment, and far be it from me to intrude on her life, or press her for explanations. Just the same, I have a duty toward her, with regard 'to the expenses of her musical education. It was I, Mr. Treviso, who was responsible for her studying music in a serious way, and even though she elects to live apart from me, I still feel that her music is my responsibility, and in the future, without saying anything to her, without saying one word to her, Mr. Treviso, I'd like you to send your bifis to me, and not to her. I hope you don't find my request unreasonable."
Mr. Treviso had seated himself, and listened with his death-mask smile, and for some moments he studied his ftngernails attentively. Then he stood up. "Am ver' sorry, Madame, 'but dees is subject w'ich I cannot discuss wit' you."
"Well Fm very sorry too, Mr. Treviso, but I'm afraid you'll have to discuss it with me. Veda is my daughter, and—"
"Madame, you excuse me, 'ave engagement."
With quick strides, he crossed to the door, and opened it as though Mildred were the queen of Naples. Nothing