The Tinker's gait was almost a swagger. Whatever others might think of his picture, the artist himself was evidently convinced of its dazzling merits.
"Just dashed it off after lunch," he said airily. "Can do you a dozen more like it, if you'll let me have the paper."
"Sorry, Tinker; must leave room for another genius or two," said Robin. "By Jove, these are clinking cows. Could almost fancy I could hear them 'moo'."
"Cows, carrots!" exclaimed the Tinker. "Chuck pulling my leg—no cows there, Robin."
"What are they, then? Buffaloes?"
"Oh, stop kidding, Robin. You know very well those are flamingoes, drawn to the life from the Zoo."
"Right!" said Robin. "We'll mark them with a capital 'F', and put 'Flamingoes' in a footnote. The others describe themselves. These hippopotami, for instance——"
"Look here, Robin, you're trying to be smart," said the Tinker, in aggrieved tones. "You must surely see those are laughing hyenas."
"Ah, to be sure," agreed Robin. "They're laughing at those sore-eyed zebras in the corner. I see now."
"Oh, this is beyond a joke," growled the angry Tinker. "Can't tell tigers from zebras! Here, let's point them all out to you before you muddle them up any more."