Such is my picture: would that I could paint it better. Looking upon it my spirit bathes and is refreshed.
CHAPTER V
FARMER BROWN IS PHOTOGRAPHED
My studio is complete at last, and I have already had one customer, not counting Mother Hubbard, who had the privilege of performing the opening ceremony, and who was my first sitter. I insisted upon that, all the more because the dear old soul had never been photographed before in her life, and was disposed to regard the transaction in the light of an adventure.
She is altogether too gentle and pliant to oppose her will to mine on anything less important than a matter of principle, but I could see that she was grievously disappointed when I would not let her put on her very best garment, a remarkable black satin dress in the fashion of a past generation, which she keeps in lavender and tissue paper at the bottom of the special drawer which is full of memories and fading grandeur.
I wanted her just as she was, with the shawl loose upon her shoulders, and the knitting-needles in her hand, and that pleasant expression of countenance which makes all soulful people fall in love with her at first sight.
I succeeded in the end, and the delight of the old lady when I showed her a rough print a day or two later was good to see.
"But I wish you could have taken me in my satin, love, and with the lace collar. Matthew always thought I looked nice in them."
"You look nice in anything," I replied, "and I am sure your husband thought so; but I want the dear old Mother Hubbard of to-day; for, do you know, I am going to send you to a big News Agency, and if you are accepted you and I will make holiday, and do it right royally."