“What has that to do with it? With these little swords” (waving his brush), “we'll fight for nature-light, truth light, and sunlight against a world in arms—no, worse, in swaddling clothes.”
“With these little swerrds,” replied poor old Groove, “we shall cut our own throats if we go against people's prejudices.”
The young artist laughed the old daubster a merry defiance, and then separated from the party, for his lodgings were down the street.
He had not left them long, before a most musical voice was heard, crying:
“A caallerr owoo!”
And two young fishwives hove in sight. The boys recognized one of them as Gatty's sweetheart.
“Is he in love with her?” inquired Jones.
Hyacinth the long-haired undertook to reply.
“He loves her better than anything in the world except Art. Love and Art are two beautiful things,” whined Hyacinth.
“She, too, is beautiful. I have done her,” added he, with a simper.