"I don't think we were ever very intimate?" he asked.
"Thank you," said I. "I can take my answer," and I
made as if to go, rage boiling in my heart.
"Of course you can go if you like," said Myner, "but I
advise you to stay and have it out."
"What more is there to say?" I cried. "You don't want
to keep me here for a needless humiliation?"
"Look here, Dodd; you must try and command your
temper," said he. "This interview is of your own
seeking, and not mine; if you suppose it's not
disagreeable to me, you're wrong; and if you think I
will give you money without knowing thoroughly about
your prospects, you take me for a fool. Besides," he
added, "if you come to look at it, you've got over the
worst of it by now: you have done the asking, and you
have every reason to know I mean to refuse. I hold out
no false hopes, but it may be worth your while to let
me judge."
Thus--I was going to say--encouraged, I stumbled
through my story; told him I had credit at the cab-
man's eating-house, but began to think it was drawing
to a close; how Dijon lent me a corner of his studio,
where I tried to model ornaments, figures for clocks,
Time with the scythe, Leda and the swan, musketeers for
candlesticks, and other kickshaws, which had never (up
to that day) been honoured with the least approval.
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