[They inspect it with docility. It represents a Knight in armour riding through a forest and surrounded by seductive Wood-nymphs.
First Maiden Aunt. Is that a guitar one of those girls is playing, or what?
Second Ditto, Ditto. A mandolin more likely; it looks like mother-o'-pearl—is it supposed to be King ARTHUR, and are they fairies or angels, ROBERT?
The G.Y.M. (a little at sea himself). "Oskold and the Ellé-maids," the title is.
Third Aunt. Scolding the Elements! Who's scolding them, ROBERT?
Robert (in her ear). "Oskold and the Ellé-maids!" it's a Scandinavian legend, Aunt TABITHA,
Aunt Tabitha (severely). Then it's a pity they can't find better subjects to paint, in my opinion! (They move on to Mr. PETTIE's "Musician.") Dear me, that young man looks dreadfully poorly, to be sure!
Robert (loudly). He's not poorly, Aunt; he's a Musician—he's supposed to be (quoting from Catalogue) "thinking out a composition, imagining an orchestral effect, with the occasional help of an organ."
First Aunt. I see the organ plain enough—but where's the orchestral effect?
Robert. Well, you wouldn't see that, you know, he only imagines it.