"What does 'salary' mean?" Erik asked that evening when Marguerite, true to her word, came to his room that evening with more food. He had had his fill earlier – together the two meals were as much as he was accustomed to in a week – so though he still ate the food, he wasn't eating as fast as his companion.
She had her mouth full and made a noise to indicate this. As she worked to empty her mouth, Erik asked another question. "And 'star'? What does 'star' mean?"
She had emptied her mouth and exclaimed, "Oh! You've seen Madame Giulia then?"
He nodded.
"She is our opera star – the leading lady singer."
He tipped his head.
She stared at him. "What don't you know?"
"What's 'singer'?" he asked in a quiet voice.
"It's a person who makes music with his mouth. And – oh, you don't know what 'music' is, do you?"
"Is 'music' the noise that comes from the piano?"
Her eyes went wide with surprise. "You learn quickly."
"And singing is matching that noise?"
She tipped her head back and forth.
"Can you sing?" he asked.
"Not well," she answered, but stood up anyway and went up the scale for him.
She broke off because he was sitting so still with his head tipped to one side, staring at her.
"Are you okay?"
"Beautiful…" he whispered.
She shook her head. "Wait until tomorrow. Madame Giulia will be singing rehearsals. Then you'll get to hear her singing. Her cousin is our ballet teacher, and occasionally, they faced off to see who is better at her talent – etoile or soprano. When they do, they are amazing. Do you know 'amazing'?"
Erik nodded and smiled. "I like this place."
