An official connected with an international art exhibition was about to visit Paris to consult with the artists. To save time, he sent notes ahead making appointments at his hotel with the different men at different hours. To Whistler he sent a note fixing a day at “4.30 precisely,” whereupon Whistler regretfully replied:
“Dear Sir: I have received your letter announcing that you will arrive in Paris on the—th. I congratulate you. I never have been able, and never shall be able, to be anywhere at ‘4.30 precisely.’
“Yours most faithfully,
“J. McN. Whistler.”
To the stereotyped inquiry of the sitter:
“About how many sittings do you require, Mr. Whistler?”
“Dear me, how can I tell? Perhaps one, perhaps—more.”
“But—can’t you give me some idea, so I can arrange——”
“Bless me, but you must not permit the doing of so trivial a thing as a portrait to interfere with the important affairs of life. We will just paint in those odd moments when you have nothing better to do.”
“Suppose I am compelled to leave the city before it is finished?”
“You will return next summer, and we will resume where we left off, as the continued-story-teller says.”