Part 13 (1/2)

_Stippleton_ (_who has married money_). ”No. Fact is”--(_sotto voce_)--”I've got quite enough on my hands with the old missus!”]

[Ill.u.s.tration: TWO OLD MASTERS OF ARTS]

ARTIST'S VADE MEc.u.m

_Question._ Has the anxious parent been to see his child's portrait?

_Answer._ He has seen it.

_Q._ Did he approve of it?

_A._ He will like it better when I have made some slight alterations.

_Q._ What are they?

_A._ He would like the att.i.tude of the figure altered, the position of the arms changed, the face turned the other way, the hair and eyes made a different colour, and the expression of the mouth improved.

_Q._ Did he make any other suggestions?

_A._ Yes; he wishes to have the child's favourite pony and Newfoundland dog put in, with an indication of the ancestral home in the back-ground.

_Q._ Is he willing to pay anything extra for these additions?

_A._ He does not consider it necessary.

_Q._ Are you well on with your Academy picture?

_A._ No; but I began the charcoal sketch yesterday.

_Q._ Have you secured the handsome model?

_A._ No; the handsome model has been permanently engaged by the eminent R.A.

_Q._ Under these circ.u.mstances, do you still expect to get finished in time?

_A._ Yes; I have been at this stage in February for as many years as I can remember, and have generally managed to worry through somehow.