"Why, there he be to the life! And if it isn't old Mrs. Blundell, too! Oh, isn't it beautiful? Might Bob take a look? Bob, come and see how nice the lady's painted our Hugh!"
Bob heaved himself up rather diffidently, and approached the easel. He was apparently modest at receiving visitors. He stared hard at the canvas, bending down, indeed, to examine it more closely. Katrine thought he was mentally appraising the portrait of his child, but when at last he spoke, his criticism was totally unexpected.
"Where did you get yon cupboard?" he grunted.
"This little spice cupboard in the picture? Why, I bought it from Mrs. Stubbs."
"You bought it? Off Mrs. Stubbs? How did she come to get hold of it, now?"
"I believe she got it at a sale."
"And you've drawed it just as it is? You haven't made up they letters and figures and things as is on it?"
"Oh, no! I copied them exactly."
"And where is it now?"
"I have it safely at Aireyholme, in the studio."