“This expostulation had its effect. ‘Well, well,’ said the other, ‘if Mr. —— has given orders not to be interrupted, make my compliments, and say I will call in the evening.’
“The evening came and the daylight went, and the would-be visitor addressed himself again to the painter’s knocker, under the impression that there was then certainly not light enough for ‘painting a sky.’
“The door was opened as before, and the applicant was about, unhesitatingly, to proceed to his friend’s studio, when he was again encountered by the servant’s deprecating accents.
“‘What! not to be seen yet?’
“‘Oh no, sir; master’s skying away like a madman. He’ll be the death of us all.’
“It was ultimately agreed that the visitor should wait a little in a lower room, as the artist’s usual hour of relaxation from professional employment was already past. The room into which he was shown was immediately below the studio, and he took up a book, but from the noise overhead he found it impossible to read. The painter was pacing up and down in precipitate and violent action, and from the noise and sound of splinters, heavy objects of furniture were undoubtedly smashed; lighter ones seemed to be kicked about with the fury and increased power of a maniac; the door, too, was slammed with fearful violence, and from time to time the shivered glass of the windows fell upon the pavement.
“The visitor became alarmed. He was rushing upstairs, when he was met by a young child who was wailing and lamenting aloud, as if he had been severely beaten.
“‘What can be the reason of all this?’ demanded our friend.
“‘Oh! Pa’s painting a sky,—pa’s painting a sky,’ was all, in his excessive grief, the boy could utter. While yet condoling with the child, another, younger, rushed downstairs with a rapidity sufficient to endanger its neck,—the cry as before, ‘Pa’s painting a sky.’
“The second child was followed by Mrs. ——, who apologised for the prevailing confusion; ‘but,’ added she, ‘this is so often the case when Mr. —— has to paint a sky, that it is my most fervent prayer he may never paint another.’