Madame Sousatzka by Bernice Rubens Read Free Book Online Page B

is a little pressure on Central America.’ He pressed his long, beautiful hands into the small of Marcus’s back. If Madame Sousatzka could have her method, Mr Cordle was entitled to his, too.
    For an half an hour, Marcus lay submitting himself to Cordle’s gentle pressures. He thought of the contrast between his life at school and his week-ends with Madame Sousatzka. He couldn’t decide which one was real for him. Now, with Cordle’s hands on his back, the boy who sat in a geography lesson or at the science bench was not he. Yet when he was at school, it was someone else he saw at Madame Sousatzka’s. And his mother. To which world did she belong? He saw her separate and alone, cocooned in a sheath of purity that had been forced on her. He knew that if he really belonged anywhere, it was with her. And at that moment he loved her very dearly.

5
    Mrs Crominski never forgot the promise she made to herself on the bus home from her interview with Madame Sousatzka. Three months she had decided to give her and as the weeks passed, she ticked off in her mind what was left of Madame Sousatzka’s reprieve. Another week to go, and still no talk of a concert. She decided that she had better prepare Marcus for the break.
    He was practising just before going to his lesson. ‘Sounds to me like an angel he plays,’ Mrs Crominski said. Marcus knew how she enjoyed listening to his playing and he didn’t mind her sitting in on his practice. Every week-end he spent at Madame Sousatzka’s, he was aware of her nonparticipation. Although he was glad for it, it was yet another rejection he had to compensate her for. He stopped playing.
    â€˜I’ve learnt so much with her, Momma,’ he said. ‘D’you know, I never understood the piano before I went to her.’
    â€˜How much is it to understand before you give a concert? Nine months it is already. So many pieces. So much practising. What for, I’m asking.’
    â€˜You’re impatient, Momma. She says I can give a concert when I am ready.’
    â€˜When he’s ready, when he’s ready.’ Mrs Crominski was exasperated. ‘For me, you’re ready. That’s enough. Marcus,’ she said solemnly, ‘I’m thinking you should leave her.’
    â€˜No!’ Marcus shouted. It wasn’t only Madame Sousatzka he would have to leave. It was Uncle, Jenny and Cordle. It was a whole way of life he would have to surrender. ‘No, I’m not leaving her,’ he said defiantly. ‘She’s the best teacher in London, Momma,’ he begged, ‘I don’t want to leave her.’
    â€˜So all your life you’ll stay with Madame Sousatzka. A beard you’ll grow there and still you’re not ready. Is nogood, Marcus. Money I’m not wasting. That I know. But time. Time. Next week I’ll go and tell her. Is time you’re wasting and a hump you’re growing. Yes, a hump. I don’t care what she calls it. Is still there. Have you ever heard such a thing! A boy should go for piano lessons and a hump he gets. Next Friday, I’ll tell her, and this time, believe me, I’m not listening to any nonsense.’
    â€˜I’ll tell her,’ said Marcus. ‘I’ll tell her today. There you are. I’ll tell her at today’s lesson. Then you don’t have to come and see her.’
    â€˜Today in any case you can tell her. Next Friday, I go. Tell her I come. Next Friday, tell her, you should be ready for a concert.’
    Mrs Crominski put on her hat and coat and prepared to leave. At the door, Marcus looked helplessly at her brown hat. ‘Momma,’ he said, ‘you look better without that hat.’
    â€˜All of a sudden,’ she smiled, ‘he takes notice of his mother.’ She took off her hat and patted her hair. ‘Is better?’
    â€˜It’s all right,’ Marcus said.
    â€˜All right, he says. Is better or not