237.—TRUE KINDLINESS.
Even Beethoven's closest friends were not always sure what mood they would find having dominion over him. But underneath the external crustiness, caused partially by the impositions to which he was subjected, and by his consequent distrust of humanity, was a vein of generosity that was not generally appreciated or realized.
When Moscheles took his brother to visit Beethoven, knowing Beethoven's aversion to strangers, he had his brother wait below while he went to Beethoven's room.
After greeting Beethoven he said, "Will you permit me to introduce my brother to you?"
"Where is he," he suddenly replied.
"Below."
"What! down stairs?" and Beethoven rushed off and siezed hold of the brother's arm, saying:—
"Am I such a savage that you are afraid to come near me?"
And Moscheles relates that after that Beethoven was kindness itself both to him and the visiting brother.