"I meant you to wait," said Kenny irritably, "but you got out before I could tell you." He closed the door. "Garry, what were the men in the grill saying to-night when I came in?"
Caught unawares Garry flushed and stammered.
"Why," he evaded uncomfortably, "it began about the peasant picture in the grillroom. Everybody likes it."
"And then?"
"We talked some of the last thing you did—the winter landscape of snow and pines."
Garry looked away.
"Out with it!" said Kenny suspiciously. "For God's sake grant me the privilege at least of lumping it all in one supreme period of upheaval. They didn't like the pine picture?"
"On the contrary," Garry hastened to assure him, "Hazleton said you are brilliantly skillful."
"Brilliantly skillful! But?" prompted Kenny and looked a question. "Brilliant skill," he added moodily, "doesn't always make a big painter."
"Hazleton said as much," admitted Garry.