Junia felt like a person roaming aimlessly through sand who suddenly stumbles on gold. There was more here than, for the moment, she could estimate. All she could see were possibilities; but there was one other point as to which she needed to be sure. It was conceivable that the thing might have been painted long ago, before Bob's departure for South America, in which case it would lose at least some of its value for her purpose.
"When did you do this, Hubert?"
"Oh, just within the last few weeks."
This was enough. With her usual swiftness of decision, she had her plans in mind.
"What are you asking?"
He named his price. It was a large one, but her balance at the bank was large. It could be put to this use as well as to another.
"I'll take it," she said, after a minute's consideration, "if you could let me have it within a few days."
Not to betray the eagerness he felt, he said that it would give him publicity to keep it on view as long as possible.
"It will be almost as much publicity to have it on view at Marillo."
And in the end he agreed that this was so.