I feel
touched at her remembering us. Oh, Kirk, you must do a simply wonderful
portrait, something that everybody will talk about, and then our
fortune will be made! You will become the only painter that people will
go to for their portraits."
Kirk did not answer. His experiences of late had developed in him an
unwonted mistrust of his powers. To this was added the knowledge that,
except for an impressionist study of Ruth for private exhibition only,
he had never attempted a portrait. To be called upon suddenly like this
to show his powers gave him much the same feeling which he had
experienced when called upon as a child to recite poetry before an
audience. It was a species of stage fright.
But it was certainly a chance. Portrait-painting was an uncommonly
lucrative line of business. His imagination, stirred by Ruth's, saw
visions of wealthy applicants turned away from the studio door owing to
pressure of work on the part of the famous man for whose services they
were bidding vast sums.
"By Jove!" he said thoughtfully.
Another aspect of the matter occurred to him.
"I wonder what Bailey thinks about it!"
"Oh, he's probably so much in love with her that he doesn't mind what
she does. Besides, Bailey likes you."
"Does he?"
"Oh, well, if he doesn't, he will. This will bring you together.
Pages:
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161