"Are ye a painter-man?" asked Billy.
"I've been dubbed that occasionally." Thornly laughed. "What can I do for you?"
"Did you ever have a—modil?" Mark broke in breathlessly, feeling he must help Billy out, no matter what his own feelings were.
"I've even been guilty of that!"
"Did ye ever have my Janet?"
Poor Billy's trouble, knowing no restraint of city ways or roundabout methods, rushed forth sharply.
Thornly changed color perceptibly.
"Come in," he urged, "the glare is really too painful."
The two awkwardly stepped inside. Then Mark's eyes fell upon the canvas.
"Cap'n!" he groaned, "look at this!" The two men stood spellbound before the easel, and Thornly watched them curiously.