"No-o," replied Rossetti, "but I've written a sonnet on the subject, if you'd like to hear it."
He recited some lines of peculiar tenderness.
"Rossetti," said Whistler, as the recitation ended, "take out the picture and frame the sonnet."
* * * * *
The Scotch once raised a fund by subscription to buy the portrait of Carlyle, at a price of five hundred guineas, fixed by the painter. When the sum was nearly complete, he learned that the subscription paper contained a clause disclaiming any indorsement of his theory of art. He telegraphed to the committee:
"The price of 'Carlyle' has advanced to one thousand guineas. Dinna ye hear the bagpipes?"
* * * * *
A dilettante collector in London, after much angling, induced Whistler to view his variegated collection. As the several objects passed in review they provoked only a sober "H'm, h'm," that might have meant anything or nothing. When there was no more to see, the host paused for an aggregate opinion and got this:
"My dear sir, there's really no excuse for it, no excuse for it at all!"
To a lady who complained that the frequent sittings commanded for painting her portrait compelled her to sacrifice much personal convenience, Whistler replied: "But, my dear lady, that is nothing in comparison with the sacrifice I have to make on your account. Just look: since I have been painting your portrait I have not had time to attend to my correspondence."