The things we do!

Won't that be fun, father?"
"My dear Clive," remarks Mr. Honeyman, with bland dignity, "there are
degrees in society which we must respect. You surely cannot think of
being a professional artist. Such a profession is very well for your
young protege; but for you----"
"What for me?" cries Clive. "We are no such great folks that I know of;
and if we were, I say a painter is as good as a lawyer, or a doctor, or
even a soldier. In Dr. Johnston's Life--which my father is always
reading--I like to read about Sir Joshua Reynolds best: I think he is the
best gentleman of all in the book. My! wouldn't I like to paint a picture
like Lord Heathfield in the National Gallery! Wouldn't I just! I think I
would sooner have done that, than have fought at Gibraltar. And those
Three Graces--oh, aren't they graceful! And that Cardinal Beaufort at
Dulwich!--it frightens me so, I daren't look at it. Wasn't Reynolds a
clipper, that's all! and wasn't Rubens a brick! He was an ambassador, and
Knight of the Bath; so was Vandyck.


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