“Ah, I don’t recall it at the moment. A rather hackneyed subject, too. Probably he sent it to America because he couldn’t sell it in England.”
“Oh, I suppose you think we buy anything here that the English refuse, I beg to inform you this picture had a place in the Royal Academy, and was very highly spoken of by the critics. I bought it in England.”
“Oh yes, I remember it now, ‘The Thames at Sonning.’ Still, it was a hackneyed subject, although reasonably well treated.”
“Reasonably well! I think it one of the finest landscape pictures of the century.”
“Well, in that at least Trenton would agree with you.”
“He is very conceited, you mean?”
“Even his enemies admit that.”
“I don’t believe it. I don’t believe a man of such talent could be so conceited.”
“Then, Miss Sommerton, allow me to say you have very little knowledge of human nature. It is only reasonable that a great man should know he is a great man. Most of our great men are conceited. I would like to see Trenton’s letter to you. I could then have a good deal of amusement at his expense when I get back.”
“Well, in that case I can assure you that you will never see the letter.”