Hitting the High Notes

Hermina West Richards.

Avoiding Mother’s dark admonishing looks, Dad quietly and deferentially, spoke to the soprano.

“Hermina, when you are approaching a high note would you please back slowly away from the microphone; and then, just when you are about to hit it, please turn your back and sing your note into that far corner.” She consented graciously and gave Dad one of her beautiful smiles.

“Two minutes to go.” Dad said. As he counted the seconds, the children, Marianne, Bill and I looking through the stair rails in the hall hugged ourselves in expectation.

“...four...three...tw0...one...We’re on the air.”

And we were!

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