Millington's picture
you could have bainted half the town. And here you are sitting on
your divan and saying you can't make up your mind to take another
order. Vell, I can only say that if you take much longer to make it
up, you'll find some other chap has cut in and got your job. Mrs.
Van Orley has been waiting since last August, and she dells me you
haven't even answered her letter."
"How could I? I didn't know if I wanted to paint her."
"My goodness! Don't you know if you vant three thousand tollars?"
Stanwell surveyed his cigarette. "No, I'm not sure I do," he said.
Shepson flung out his hands. "Ask more den--but do it quick!" he
exclaimed.
Left to himself, Stanwell stood in silent contemplation of the
canvas on which the dealer had riveted his reproachful gaze. It had
been destined to reflect the opulent image of Mrs. Alpheus Van
Orley, but some secret reluctance of Stanwell's had stayed the
execution of the task. He had painted two of Mrs. Millington's
friends in the spring, had been much praised and liberally paid for
his work, and then, declining several recent orders to be executed
at Newport, had surprised his friends by remaining quietly in town.
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