The things we do!

There, gentlemen,'--and pulling aside a curtain, Gandish says 'There!'"
"And what was the masterpiece behind it?" we ask of Clive, after we have
done laughing at his imitation.
"Hand round the hat, J. J.!" cries Clive. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, pay
your money. Now walk in, for the performance is 'just a-going to begin.'"
Nor would the rogue ever tell us what Gandish's curtained picture was.
Not a successful painter, Mr. Gandish was an excellent master, and
regarding all artists save one perhaps a good critic. Clive and his
friend J. J. came soon after and commenced their studies under him. The
one took his humble seat at the drawing-board, a poor mean-looking lad,
with worn clothes, downcast features, and a figure almost deformed; the
other adorned by good health, good looks, and the best of tailors;
ushered into the studio with his father and Mr. Smee as his aides-de-camp
on his entry; and previously announced there with all the eloquence of
honest Gandish. "I bet he's 'ad cake and wine," says one youthful
student, of an epicurean and satirical turn.


Pages:
390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414