Eugene did not wince.
"If there's a chance of success, he ought to be given the opportunity of exercising his own judgment," he said quietly. "It would distress him immensely, but we should have no right to keep it from him. And I suppose there's always a chance of success."
"Go and get the picture, Morewood," said Sir Roderick. Then, when the painter was looking in the portfolio, he said abruptly to Eugene:
"You could say nothing else."
"No. That's why you asked me, I suppose. I hope I'm an interesting subject. You dig pretty deep."
"Serves you right!" said Ayre composedly. "Why were you ever such an ass?"
"God knows!" groaned Eugene.
Morewood returned.
"He's due here in ten minutes to sit to me. Are you going to stay?"
"No. You be doing something else, and let that thing stand on the easel."