Uncle Richard
I am never unwell. I don't believe in it. Yes, everything was ready here. In its larger issue, my life has not been unsuccessful.... But your business, Richard, it came out well, I hope?
Richard
Quite. You see after graduating I borrowed a certain sum to go abroad with a classmate. We had a plan for doing a book on modern Italy, he writing the text and I making illustrations. We had quite a new idea about it all. It was good fun besides. Well, the work has been placed, and now after repaying the loan I have enough to take a studio and begin painting in earnest.
Uncle Richard
Hum.
Richard
I believe I have a copy of one of the sketches with me. (He tears a sheet from a note book and hands it to Uncle Richard.)
Uncle Richard (looking at it wrong side up)
A sketch. I see. Of course it is unfinished?