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Armed with a note-book in which he had written down the list of facts to be taught, he read it out to the pupils, sometimes making a pretence of extemporising; this was the "lesson," the corner-stone of historical instruction. The whole series of lessons, determined by the programme, formed the "course."
Arthur, meanwhile, had a more delicate task to perform in extemporising the toilet of a maid-of- all-work. An ulster belonging to Tilbury supplied him with a dress, and by turning up the sleeves, and arranging his night-dress apron-wise over the front, he managed to give a fair idea of the kind of character he aimed to personate.
Some of the party drifted in from the terrace outside as Sandy's long, boyish fingers began to move capably over the keys, extemporising delightfully. "If he were only a little older," whispered Kitty to Lord St. John. "Inveterate match-maker!" he whispered back. Sandy pulled Nan down on to the music seat beside him. "The Shrimp Symphony in A flat minor, arranged for four hands," he announced.
'I am almost glad he wrote that postscript; for although I don't think he has any authority in that matter while I am under my own roof, I said, extemporising a legal opinion, 'and, therefore, shan't obey him, it has somehow opened my eyes to my real situation. I sighed, I believe, very desolately, for Lady Knollys came over and kissed me very gently and affectionately.
Despite its incessant plaintive accent, his music is saved by the endless flow of melody, often lovely, generally characteristic, though sometimes common, in which Schubert continually expressed anew his one mood; and he was placed among the great ones by the miraculous facility he possessed of extemporising frequent passages of extraordinary power and bigness.
That was, as she said, something to thank God for. She was also a beautiful spiritual influence on him. Once the Baron Spaun found Beethoven kissing Thérèse's portrait and muttering: "Thou wast too noble too like an angel." The baron withdrew silently, and returning later found Beethoven extemporising in heavenly mood. He explained: "My good angel has appeared to me."
Thrusting one thumb into the armhole of his waistcoat, he waved the other hand in the air, and, with an extemporising gaze at the shining sheep-crooks above the mantelpiece, began: "Oh, my trade it is the rarest one, Simple shepherds all, My trade is a sight to see; For my customers I tie, and take them up on high, And waft 'em to a far countree."
"Obstinate," grunted the procurator; "I am certain that she is guilty. Are you not?" he added, addressing the clerk. The clerk was busy filling up some of the blanks in the back evidence, extemporising where he could not remember. "Assuredly," he said, "the opinion of the procurator is always correct." However, the doctor was summoned.
Just as he was about to begin, when every noise was hushed, and the stillness of death reigned throughout the theatre, a voice in the pit cried 'from Figaro. He took the hint, and ended this triumphant display of skill by extemporising a dozen of the most interesting and scientific variations upon the air Non più andrai. It is needless to mention the uproar that followed.
This haranguing of the herd had been going on a week or more when Uncle Eb and I, returning from a distant part of the farm, heard a great uproar in the stable. Looking in at a window we saw Tip Taylor, his back toward us, extemporising a speech. He was pressing his argument with gestures and the tone of thunder. We listened a moment, while a worried look came over the face of Uncle Eb.
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