 Good evening. May I present my wife Kathy? Good evening. I think everyone enjoys reading. Our tastes vary according to author type of work and so forth. Some of us like murders or poetry. And some biography or historical novels. In radio because of time limitations we find ourselves occupied mostly with short stories. Which brings us to tonight. Henry James is probably one of the masters of that difficult form of writing, the short story. And tonight we have selected for you one of his loveliest. Four meetings by Henry James. I saw her but four times though I remember them vividly. She made her impression on me. I thought her very pretty and very interesting. A touching specimen of a type with which I'd had other and perhaps less charming associations. I'm sorry to hear of her death. The first meeting was in the country at a small party one snowy night just at the turn of the century. I'd been invited to the house of a friend for Christmas time. I'd never been in the depths of New England at that season. To me it was really full of savor. It had been snowing all day on the town of North Verona and the drifts were knee-high and inside the large house the party the cheer and the girls quite excited by the attraction of a gentleman from New York. And presently I was introduced to her to Miss Carolyn Spencer. You'll forgive me. For what Miss Spencer? I've asked about you. Oh? I had heard you'd been to Europe so I asked Mrs. Latou she said that was quite correct. And it is isn't it? That I've been to Europe? Yes. Have you been very long over there? Well it mounts up put all the times together. And you've traveled everywhere. I've traveled a good deal. I'm very fond of it and happily have been able. And you know foreign languages? After a fashion. Is it hard to speak them? I don't imagine you'd find it so. Please. Yes. I brought something with me a portfolio when I heard there'd be a gentleman here this evening who'd been to Europe. A portfolio? Photographs that I've purchased or been given. Views of Switzerland Italy and Spain landscapes and some very fine reproductions of famous buildings pictures and statues. Yes. Will you look at them with me now and tell me about these places? Of course. I'll get them. We'll sit in the library and you will tell me all about them. It struck me then a thing about her. A small vague smile, a discreet, a disguised yearning which seemed somehow at odds with her isolation. While I waited for her to return with the portfolio, someone told me about her that she was artistic. That is as far as this small community could allow for such yearnings or could minister to them. Miss Carolyn Spencer was I judged close on to 30. She was not quite a beauty, but was nonetheless in her small odd way formed to please. And I thought as she approached me with the portfolio under her arm how like a child she was. We went into the library and sat down. Do you know this place? Yes. I've been there many a time. The Villa of Medici in Venetia, Venice. And I've seen it just as in this photograph. The poet Byron once. Yes, I know. You see, I'm a school teacher. And these, the Alps. Are they so beautiful? Really? Yes. This one, the young frau. Many times I've sat by the window of a chalet in sipped Swiss chocolate and... And shanting. How soon must I go to Europe? Oh, I'll give you ten years. Well, I guess I can go in that time. You'll enjoy it immensely. You'll find it of the highest interest. They say the French theater is very beautiful. The best in the world. Did you go there often? When I was first in Paris, I went every night. Every night? That to me is, this is if you tell me a fairy tale. But it's all very expensive, isn't it? Europe, you mean? Going there and traveling. That's been the trouble I have. I have very little money. One can manage with a moderate amount, wisely spent, Miss Spencer. I've saved and saved up. And I'm always adding a little to it. It's all for that. Yet... Yes. You see, it hasn't only been the money. It has been everything. Everything has acted against it. I've waited and waited. It's been my castle in the air. I'm almost afraid to talk about it. Two or three times it has come a little nearer and then I've talked about it and it has melted away. I've talked about it too much. Perhaps. But the cure is just to go. I'll go sometime, all right. I've a relative right there on the spot and he'll know how to control me. I'll need someone like that. I've read histories and guidebooks and articles. I know I shall rave about everything. You and I. Yes. We've the great American disease. The appetite for color and form for the picturesque and romantic at any price. Travelers in a desert subject to the terrible mirage, the torment of illusion, thirst fever, the things of dreams. And finally, when at last we do see these things, we simply recognize them. What experience does is merely to confirm and concentrate our dream. The way you express it is too lovely. Then you'll be going back. One has to go back. I shall look for you. Yes. And I'll tell you if I'm disappointed. A few months after this, I crossed the sea eastward again and some three years elapsed. I'd been living in Paris and toward the end of October went from that city to love to meet some friends who had written me they were about to arrive there. I found the steamer already docked. I was two or three hours late. The early autumn day was warm and charming and I decided to walk to the hotel where my travelers were duly established. The stroll through the bright colored busy streets of the old French seaport was beguiling enough. The sunny noisy keys that turn into a wide pleasant street which lay half in sun and half in shade. A French provincial street that resembled an old watercolor drawing. Then stop suddenly to stare just before reaching a quiet old world cafe where under an awning several tables and chairs were disposed. A lady seated alone outside at one of the little marble top tables. Something had been put before her but she only leaned back motionless and with her hands folded looking down the street and away from me. I saw her but in diminished profile. Nevertheless I was sure I knew on the spot that we must already have met. She now turned to face a little more into profile looking at the steep gray housefront opposite. There was no sign of her being older. She was as gravely decently demurely pretty as before. On this I decided to speak to her. Well Ms. Spencer you've achieved your dream. I hope you're not disappointed. I'm sorry but I do. I'm sorry. I don't know you. You don't recognize me. You once showed me your photographs of Europe at a dance in North Verona. It's been three years. You? Yes to me. Of course. Of course it was you. And this happens very charmingly for isn't it quite proper for me to give you a formal reception here. The official welcome. I talked to you so much about Europe. You didn't say too much. I'm so intensely happy. When did you arrive. How long on the steamer this morning. I don't know how long I've been here. I don't know how fortunate it is what it's of the miraculous that I should be here. Meet you here receive your very first impressions. Oh I can't tell you. I feel so much in a dream. I've been sitting here and I don't want to move everything. So delicious and romantic. First impressions. I've lost. I don't know whether the coffee is gone to my head. It's so unlike the coffee of my dead past. A word of caution Ms. Spencer. Yes. Don't spend your appreciation all the first day. Remember it's your intellectual letter of credit. Remember all the beautiful places and things that are waiting for you. And that lovely Italy we talked about. Don't spend it all the first day. I'm not afraid of running short. I could sit here all day just saying to myself that here I am at last. It's so dark and strange. So old and different. By the way how come you to be in camp in this odd place. Haven't you gone to one of the ends. My cousin brought me here and a little while ago left me your cousin. I told you I had a relation over here a real cousin. So splendid. An art student in Paris. I thought he'd meet me at the train in Paris. He came to the ship. He's very kind and very bright. He met you then went away from you left you here alone. Only to take my money to the bank. All your money. Of course it must be changed into French money. He explained that to me. How long have you been waiting for him. Oh he came back a little while ago. And then a brilliant scarlet bit of cloth hanging from a window in that building across the street caught his eye and he said to me he must have it must buy it. And he said wait for him a little more now he's inside there and your money. Oh it's quite safe. Let me assure you where is it in my cousin's pocket. I'm eager to meet this bright kind cousin who is an art student Miss Spencer. Will you it would be a deep delight to me. Your arm. And as we crossed the wide provincial street a man came out the house saw us stopped leaned in Langer against the old doorway. The moment my eyes rested on him I knew he could be but the bright if not the kind cousin the art student. He wore a slouch hat and a rusty black velvet jacket. His shirt colored displayed a stretch of throat that wasn't strikingly statuesque. He was tall and lean. He had red hair and freckles. And about his waist was a winding of scarlet cloth whose ends hung against his thigh gondolier fashion. When I was introduced to him as an old acquaintance of Miss Spencer's he looked at me hard with a pair of small sharp eyes from under the romantic brim of his hat. Then bowing a sweep gave me a solemn wave in the European fashion of his rather rusty sombrero. You went on Carolyn's ship. No I wasn't on the ship. I've been in Europe these several years. I see. Look Carolyn the bit of cloth the concierge hung from the window. We haggled for it and I won. You like it. It's beautiful. And the way you wear it so dashing so romantic. I see you've a great deal of eye. Your cousin tells me you're studying art at the Paris studio one of the very great men. Do you understand French. Some kind. Where does we put up on to you. I understand that. It means you are. You are mad for painting. Is that right. Very good Miss Spencer. What a delight it will be to live among people who are on such easy terms with foreign tongues as you two are French Italian. Yes. Resign yourself dear cousin only to a smattering of French. Only that the Italian of space and peace Florence and Rome I fear perhaps you will not hear and not have the opportunity to learn. I don't understand. What are you saying. There is grave trouble a cutting of deep trouble cousin mine come to the hotel I've arranged for you I will tell you about it. Come dear cousin wait I'll want to meet you again Miss Spencer where. I can congratulate you. I believe it's the best in the world. I guess I know my way around. The venerable cousin. Later that same day was our third meeting. The autumn dusk had begun to fall on the city and later on the ships and on the wings of the harbor birds. At this time I found myself at liberty to call at the hotel named to me by the cousin of Carolyn Spencer. I must confess that I spent much of the walk from my hotel to theirs in wondering what the disagreeable thing was that the less attractive of these had to tell the other. The bell Normand was local color in abundance. A small trickling fountain with a stucco statuette set in the midst of it and on a green bench outside an open door Carolyn Spencer supported by the back of her bench with her hands clasped in her lap her eyes on the other side of the court where the landlady manipulated apricots Miss Spencer staring absently thoughtfully good evening when we I thought you might have gone from there. She had been crying and her face was sad and without surprise at me. I had no wish to incommodate you generous of you to come to your cousin has been giving you bad news you've had a horrid time it shows it shows them that I've wept the Spencer there will be no more tears I assure you I've shed them all I am composed then it's true you have been having a bad time my poor cousin has been having one he's had great worries that trouble he spoke of before you it's bad very bad a young man like that art student with the great trouble for a young man who is so bright so he was in dreadful want of money in one of yours you mean any he could get honorably of course mine is all well that's available and he has taken it from you I gave him what I had you call that his getting it honorably we won't speak of it perhaps I go too far but we must speak of it miss Spencer yes I'm your friend upon my word I'm your protector it seems to me you need one what is the matter with this extraordinary person my cousin he's just badly and no doubt he is why must you pay for that well he has told me all his story I feel for him so well so do I if you come to that but I hope yes I hope he'll give you straight back your money certainly he will as soon as ever he can and when the juice will that be when he has finished his great picture my dear young lady great picture where is he there in Salamage the dining room eating alone you can see him if you and that pyramid of apricots the woman has arranged on a plate for your cousin that nice little plate of fruit for him they seem to do everything so nicely here or come now really do you think it decent that that long strong fellow should color your funds he made his debts himself he ought to sign notes to a large amount the more fool he he's in real distress believe it it's not only himself it's his poor young wife ah he has told you he has a poor young wife I didn't know but he made a clean breast of it he married two years since why secretly she was a countess are you very sure of that she has written me the most beautiful letter asking you whom she has never seen for money asking me for confidence and sympathy really miss Spencer listen to me please the countess has been cruelly treated by her family because of what she has done for my cousin she appeals to me in her own lovely way in the letter which I have here such a wonderful old world romance a beautiful young widow her first husband was a count tremendously highborn and his death left her ruined he was a wicked man and profligate and her great aunt the old Marquesa from whom she had expectations of great wealth and still to sacrifice that for the love of my cousin for their grand passion to be cast off from them my cousin has finished his dinner and he comes to us you you will not stay to speak with him no then decidedly I couldn't stand it and without responding I gave my hand to my friend she looked at me an instant with her little white face and rounded eyes and as she showed her pretty teeth I suppose she meant to smile don't be sorry for me I'm very sure I shall see something of this dear old Europe yet I refused however to take literal leave of her I should find a moment to come back next morning then her awful kinsman was approaching and flourishing his sombrero at me by way of a bow on which I hurried away on the morrow early I did return and in the court of the in met the concierge bonjour messieurs et qu'est vous les your wish mademoiselle Spencer Carolyn Spencer will you inform her please that a gentleman is in the courtyard inquiring for but the mums a partier she has gone from here what at 10 o'clock of last night she went away well she left for Paris then it would be a very strange way to go to Paris what are you talking about with her what she say a cousin he took her to the ship the American ship in the harbor he'd say he wave farewell he went perhaps to Paris not you mean she sailed for America last night we back to America the pitiable child to come to Europe to France to meet a messieurs a cousin and to stay only 13 hours 13 hours of a lifetime of waiting I myself more fortunate remained in Europe for a period of some five years then one of the first things I did on my return to America was to go to North Verona to renew old acquaintances and immediately I went to the residence of Miss Carolyn Spencer I saw the poor little house to be of the shabbiest and felt a sudden doubt of my right to penetrate since curiosity had been my motive but in the open doorway stood Miss Spencer she looked tired and wasted yes sir I waited for you over there to come back but you never came waited where sir I waited at the old French port I remember you now I remember that day I kept looking out for you year after year you mean in Europe in Europe of course please come in thank you in here have you been in Europe ever since until three weeks ago and you I'm very rude would you sit down and you you never came back oh no do you remind me I remind you of that miserable day at the hour of do I not it wasn't miserable it was delightful did you come straight back here I was back here just 30 days after my first start I've remained here ever since every minute of the time Miss Spencer yes the tour you've always dreamed of when then are you going to make it I hope at least your cousin repaid you that money I don't care for it now for Europe everything's different I never think of it he never repaid you that please please I did not know you had company the gentleman coming so quietly yes he it's only to speak of my cafe mr. Mr. and I should like it served in the garden under the petty table come long mr. mixture we who in the world is that the countess the countess the wife of my cousin you met in France who's the young man with her the countess's pupil she gives him lessons in French and music oh you see she has had the worst reverses with no one to look to where is her husband your cousin dead and where is your money I don't know I don't know on her husband's death this lady came at once to you was that correct yes at once she appeared it was one day three years ago and she's been here ever since how does she like it here please pardon me I must get her coffee left alone in the little pallor I found myself divided between the perfection of my disgust and the contrary wish to see to learn more and I thought I should talk to this countess this woman in the faded pink wrapper this very large lady of middle age with the plump dead white face and the tightly drawn back hair so I went out into the garden to where she was seated under the quince tree to where she was engaged in drawing a fine needle with a very fat hand through a piece of embroidery not remarkable for freshness mr. Mixtor had accommodated himself at her feet learning when she saw me she stopped him with a touch of her hand I'm sure you speak French I do madam I knew it as soon as I looked at you you have been to my poor dear country a considerable time and quite recently and you know very well we he's talking French he's going on 10 months since I took mr. Mixtor and I hope your other students do you more honor but I have no others mr. talk to me of paris my poor party that I give my eyes to see what are they doing there now I'm using themselves a great deal as always at the theater at the cafe concert sous le bon ciel at the little table and now you're in exile you may imagine what it is for an hour on the boulevard Paris but this this Verona you may imagine three years of this but I shall get used to it for instance the coffee do you always have coffee at this hour at what hour would you propose me to have it I must have my little cup after breakfast and you breakfast at this hour midday certain he brings it my cousin say to him feel very shaman but the coffee is not nearly as good if you have drunk it on the boulevard I've brought an extra cup no no thank you miss Spencer I must be leaving yes and what passed between us between miss Spencer and me while she looked up at me I think was this the knowledge that I had seen in her set little face extreme fatigue and also something else strange and conceived whether a desperate patient still or at last some other desperation being more than I can say what was clearest was that she was glad I was going that was our last meeting that was some years ago I was sorry yesterday to hear of her death and yet when I think of it why should I be we were pleased tonight to have Jeanette Nolan join us for the first time to play the countess and to welcome back Byron Kane the concierge and Ben right Carolyn's unattractive cousin next week a dramatic script by a comedy writer Bob Sweeney comedian and writer of comedy to most of you tried his hand at the documentary form of drama and submitted an exciting report about a policewoman which Kathy and I will present next week and if our luck holds Bob will come in and act in his own effort until next week then thank you for listening and good night good night