"I was alluding, sir, to the superior excellence of the picture, and not to its dimensions."
"Oh!"
"May I ask, sir, if you know what that picture represents?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you."
"Then, sir, I'll tell you. That picture represents the point of culmination in the life of Christ."
"Really; may I ask who says so?"
"The dignitaries of the Church say so."
Pause, during which my friend made an ineffectual attempt to get past. The waistcoat, however, barred the way, and then the bland and dulcet voice spoke again.
"Do you see that man copying the right-hand corner of the picture? That gentleman says that the man who could paint that corner could paint anything."
"Oh! and who is that gentleman?"