"He asked me who I'd been sitting to, same as you do; and I told him
I'd been sitting to Mr. Cope, sir."
"Well, what else?"
"He asked me who I'd been sitting to before that, and I said Mr.
Horsley."
"And what next?"
"He asked me who I'd been sitting to before that, and I said I'd been sitting to you, sir."
"What did he say then?"
"He said, 'What a d——d crew!'"
* * * * *
Whistler once came very near painting a portrait of Disraeli. He had the commission; he even went down to the country where Disraeli was; but the great man did not manage to get into the mood. Whistler departed disappointed, and shortly afterward took place a meeting in Whitehall which was the occasion of a well-known story: Disraeli put his arm in Whistler's for a little way on the street, bringing from the artist the exclamation, "If only my creditors could see!"
* * * * *