MR. MORLAND. Definitely not a Gainsborough.
(By this time the needles have entered into the controversy, but they are disregarded.)
I should say the work of a clever amateur.
MR. AMY. Look at the drawing of the cart and the figure beside it.
MR. MORLAND. Weak and laboured. Look at that horse.
MR. AMY. Gainsborough did some very funny horses.
MR. MORLAND. Granted, but he never placed them badly. That horse destroys the whole balance of the composition.
MR. AMY. James, I had no idea you had such a small nature.
MR. MORLAND. I don’t like that remark; for your sake I don’t like it. No one would have been more pleased than myself if you had picked up a Gainsborough. But this! Besides, look at the paper.
MR. AMY. What is wrong with the paper, Mr. Morland?