"I wished to encourage the artist."
"But why do you sell it, then?"
"Monroe wants it, and will give a small advance on its cost."
"But Monroe was at the sale; why didn't he bid for it then?"
"A very natural question, Sister Marcia; but it shows that you are not a manager. However, I'll explain. Monroe was struck with the picture, and would have given a foolish price for it. So I said to him,—'Monroe, don't be rash. If two connoisseurs like you and me bid against each other for this landscape, other buyers will think there is something in it, and the price will be run up to a figure neither of us can afford to pay. Let me buy it and keep it a month or so, and then we'll agree on the terms. I sha'n't be hard with you.' And I won't be. He shall have it for a hundred, although I paid eighty-seven and odd."
"So you speculate, where you pretend to patronize Art?"
"Don't use harsh words, Sister Marcia. Half the difficulties in the world come from a hasty application of terms."
"But I want the picture; and I didn't ask you to buy it merely to oblige Mr. Greenleaf."
"True, sister, but he will paint others, and better ones, perhaps. I will buy another in its place."
"And sell it when you get a good offer, I suppose."