"WELL." Then, after an interval, "Was this the only
one he ever painted?"
"The only one? The only picture Corot painted? Of course not! There are
many more."
"Did--did this Corot feller get as much for every job as he did for
this?"
"I presume so. I know father considered this one a bargain."
"Did, hey? Humph! I ought to know enough by this time not to believe all
I hear, but I kind of had an idea that picture paintin' was starvation
work. I've read about artists committin' suicide, and livin' in attics,
and such. Whew! About two such bargain sale jobs as this, and
I'd guarantee not to starve--and to live as nigh the ground as a
second-floor bedroom anyhow. How about this next one? This feller in a
dory--coddin', I guess he is. Did--did Mr. Corot do him?"
"No. That is by a well-known American artist. It is a good piece of
work, but not like the other. It is worth much less. Perhaps five
thousand."
"So? Well, even for that I'd undertake to buy consider'ble many dories,
and hire fellers to fish from 'em, too. Humph! I guess I'm out of
soundin's. When I thought fifteen dollars was a high price for paintin'
a view of a house I was slightly mistaken. Next time I'll offer the
paintin' feller the house and ask him what he considers a fair boot,
besides.
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