“It was only in the country places in Nova Scotia,” said Matt, apologetically, “and people didn’t know anything about it. So long as I made a handsome likeness, it was all they cared for. And then, of course, they were never—never naked.”
“No?” said the celebrity, with a little laugh.
“No; they always wore their best clothes,” said Matt, smiling, too. “So this is the first time I’ve done one like this.”
“You haven’t done it yet,” said Tarmigan, moving on. “There’s that foot yet to be studied. Search! Finish!”
“If you please, sir,” said Matt, with an unconscious reversion to the idiom of McTavit’s school-room, “I have finished the foot.”
“Nonsense,” said Tarmigan. “You’ve got another toe to paint in.”
“I thought I had to copy the model exactly,” said Matt, meekly.
“Well, sir?” said Tarmigan, puzzled.
“Well, I only see four toes on that foot.”
The artist was startled; he cast a rapid glance at the model. “Good Lord! the man’s right,” he murmured, for the model was indeed minus a toe.