"It is commonplace, not to say vulgar, to quarrel with your enemies.
Quarrel with your friends! That's the thing to do. Now be good!"
* * * * *
"The good Lord made one serious mistake," he rasped to Chase, in
Holland.
"What?"
"When he made Dutchmen."
* * * * *
When he had finished his portrait of Mr. Chase he stood off and admired the work. "Beautiful! Beautiful!" was his comment. Chase, who had irked under the queer companionship, retorted, "At least there's nothing mean or modest about you!"
"Nothing mean and modest," he corrected. "I like that better! Nothing mean and modest! What a splendid epitaph that would make for me! Stop a moment! I must put that down!"
* * * * *
During the Chase sittings, the creditors were always calling. Whistler divined their several missions with much nicety by the tone of the raps on the door.