“If you will go and put on that new frock,” said he, in a manner that Cheriton was forced to regard as effrontery, “we can get just an hour before luncheon, and then to-morrow you will start a cream bun in hand.”
The prospect offered seemed sufficiently enticing to Miss Perry.
“That will be awfully nice.”
She left the room with great cheerfulness.
Cheriton regarded Jim Lascelles with that paternal air which he was wont to assume rather frequently towards the world in general.
“Lascelles,” said he, “I shall have to revise my estimate of your attainments. It is becoming increasingly clear to my mind that you may go far.”
“Gillet said if I applied myself,” said Jim, without immodesty, “I might be able one day to paint a portrait.”
“Gillet’s opinion is valuable,” said Cheriton, with the air of one who set a higher value upon his own opinion than he did upon that of Gillet. He examined Jim’s work very critically. “Yes,” he said, “I recognize your possibilities. You have had the wit to find a subject, and I am hopeful that the artist will prove entirely worthy of it.”
Jim’s face expressed his pleasure. After all, he had the talent and ambition of every honest craftsman.
“Lascelles,” said his patron, “may I give you a word of advice?”