PATTY:

Hi, I'm Patty Baronson. Do you remember me?

EILEEN:

Hello. Of course I remember you. You're Darlene's mother. Martin, you remember Mrs. Baronson.

PATTY:

It's Patty.

MARTIN:

Yes, I remember. How are you?

PATTY:

Fine thanks.

EILEEN:

Do you have a child in the group this evening? Oh, of course, you must have. Darlene's in Alan's class, isn't she?

PATTY:

Yes. I have another daughter in the group too. She's younger.

EILEEN:

Alan and Darlene are so lucky to have Mr. Aultham as a teacher.

PATTY:

Yes, before he retires. Isn't he the greatest?

EILEEN:

We think so.

MARTIN:

I've never seen anyone better.

PATTY:

He's had a distinguished career, hasn't he?

EILEEN:

Are your children impressed?

PATTY:

Very much so. Darlene has been in three different groups. She loves him.

MARTIN:

Darlene must be musically talented.

PATTY:

She is. Her sister isn't, but she likes Mr. Aultham too.

EILEEN:

Does she say why?

PATTY:

He doesn't put too much pressure on the children.

EILEEN:

That's admirable.

PATTY:

He wants everyone to take part, but he wants them to enjoy themselves.

MARTIN:

That must be very difficult to do.

PATTY:

Yes, but he's very good at it. He knows that Darlene can do excellent work. So he pushes her.

EILEEN:

Alan has mentioned her singing.

PATTY:

Yes. She's going to try singing for a career.

MARTIN:

That's wonderful.

PATTY:

It's all because of Mr. Aultham. He's encouraged her all the way. I think he's terrific.

EILEEN:

What about Darlene's sister? What's her name?

PATTY:

Diane. Well, as I said, she isn't very talented musically. She's more academic. She's an excellent student. But Mr. Aultham encourages her just as much.

MARTIN:

He must know his students very well.

PATTY:

That's his greatest strength as a teacher. He knows all of them individually.

EILEEN:

He obviously likes them.

PATTY:

I think I know his secret. He loves music.

EILEEN:

What do you mean?

PATTY:

He loves music, and he wants everyone else to love it too. He works very hard to get children to love music.

MARTIN:

That's what teaching is all about, isn't it?

PATTY:

I think so. If you love something, you'll try that much harder to be good at it.

MARTIN:

Of course you can love something and not be good at it.

PATTY:

True. That reminds me of another thing Mr. Aultham does well. He encourages students to go as far as they can. But then he let them go on to other things. After all music isn't everybody's love.

EILEEN:

That was very nice. I'm sorry Sue won't be able to study with Mr. Aultham.

MARTIN:

Yes, that's too bad. I hope the new person is very good.