gether on my imagination, Mr.
Lorimer, but I'm getting cured of that failing. In future I will cling
to the people I have an opportunity of studying."

"You'll turn out something pretty good, one of these days," he said.
"And now for the paintings, Mr. McGrath. I have only a few minutes to
spare."

He looked at a few portraits and a still-life or two, resting his square
jaw in the palm of his hand.

"I've been a bit of a doubting Thomas," he suddenly said. "Had an idea
that a chap who goes in so much for society couldn't do very serious
work, but this is first rate. Good, honest stuff, I call it, but I doubt
if you will keep it up. Let's have a look at something else."

He paid not the slightest attention to Gordon, who looked as mad as a
hornet. The Japanese servant lifted up a picture that was turned with
the face against the wall.

"Not that one," directed Gordon, but Lorimer had caught a glimpse of the
canvas as the Japanese turned.

"Oh, yes! Put that on the easel," he said. "That seems to be in a rather
different style. Now, my dear sir, if you keep on all your life working
like that, I'll take back what I said. A man capable of doing that can
take Sargent's place, some day, but he'll have to stick to his last to
keep it up. How much do you want for it?"

"It--it isn't for sale," said Gordon, hesitating.

Lorimer stood before the picture, with his hands clasped behind his
back, for several minutes. Then he turned again to Gordon.

"Already sold, is it?"

"No, Mr. Lorimer, it is not. But it's about the best thing I ever did,
and yet I think I can improve on it. I shall keep it for comparison, as
I intend to try another from the same model, in a somewhat different
manner. After it is finished, I shall be glad to have you look at it
again, and perhaps----"

"I'm afraid that what I said rather sticks in your crop, Mr. McGrath,
but don't be offended. When I began life my knowledge of men was about
the only asset I had. It didn't come by study and I take no credit for
it. I was born with it, as a colt may be born with speed in him. Some
Frenchman has said that the moneymaking instinct is like the talent of
certain pigs for smelling truffles. In Perigord they pay a high price
for a shoat with that kind of a nose. I have learned something about
painting because I love it, and I know how to make money. But if I
stopped for a year, I'd get so rusty I'd be afraid to buy a hundred
shares. Same way with you. If y