Nan did care, but not in the way the doctor supposed.
“Marc may have his faults, but they are not those that would make him stiff over a matter of this kind,” the doctor went on.
Faults? Was not Lohengrin a perfect knight? But feeling that Dr. Paul had been sufficiently punished, Nan said, with an appearance of generosity, “Oh, I really don’t mind, Dr. Paul, not in the least. Mr. Wells discovered that I was the originator of the name and I gave him permission to use it.”
“Oh, that puts another face on the matter. Why didn’t you tell me in the beginning, you little tease?”
“Because I thought you deserved some slight punishment. Now you have had it we will drop the subject. Where did you leave the others and what have you been doing this morning?”
“I came straight here as soon as I reasonably could. I saw all the canoes out on the lake when I came away from the studio. I left Marc putting the finishing touches to the study he made of Jack. He had a sudden fit of industry this morning, consequent, I think, upon his hearing that Pinch is about to return.”
“Then laziness is one of the faults you referred to.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I shouldn’t say that. I never saw a fellow work harder when he is in the humor; on the other hand when he loafs he does it quite as enthusiastically, which is probably the right way. He will paint all day, very likely.”
“Is Jack sitting for him?”
“No. He thinks he will not work any more on the figure, but is doing the interior. He is putting in some still life and things.”