"Caspar!" he cried, "where are you going in such a hurry?"
"I am going to paint the great bear-fight!" I answered enthusiastically.
"Another tavern scene, I suppose," he remarked with a shrug.
"Why not, Master Conrad? Is not a tavern scene as good as one in the forum?"
I would have said a good deal, but we were standing at his door.
"Good night, Maître Conrad," I cried, pressing his hand. "Don't bear a grudge against me for not going to study in Italy."
"Grudge! No," replied the old master, smiling. "You know that privately I am of your opinion. If I tell you now and then to go to Italy, it is to satisfy Dame Catherine. But follow out your own idea, Caspar. Men who only follow other men's ideas never do any good."
THE SCAPEGOAT.
Note