“I don’t agree with you, and I don’t consider the subject at all a proper one,” said Mr. Johns sternly. “As for that picture, I am very sorry I’ve seen it.”
It is probable Wynne would have answered hotly had not Vincent advanced a suggestion:
“Why don’t you and the mater sit down for ten minutes,” he said. “This Mr.—er—can take me round for a bit.”
“I’d like to rest my feet,” admitted Mrs. Johns; “the leather has begun to draw.”
So Wynne and Vincent entered the next gallery together.
“My people are all right, you know,” said Vincent; “but they are a bit off in Paris, you know.”
“Oh, really.”
“Yes. You know! Isn’t there anything a bit more lively we can see? I don’t think a lot of these Old Masters—damned if I do.”
Wynne had to bear in mind that he was the servant of these people, and accordingly he replied, civilly enough:
“Perhaps you’d like the more modern school better.”