Only one card remained for me
to play, and I was now resolved to play it: I must drop
the gentleman and the frock-coat, and approach art in
the workman's tunic.
"TIENS, this little Dodd!" cried the master; and
then, as his eye fell on my dilapidated clothing, I
thought I could perceive his countenance to darken.
I made my plea in English; for I knew, if he were vain
of anything, it was of his achievement of the island
tongue. "Master," said I, "will you take me in your
studio again--but this time as a workman?"
"I sought your fazer was immensely reech?" said he.
I explained to him that I was now an orphan, and
penniless.
He shook his head. "I have betterr workmen waiting at
my door," said he, "far betterr workmen.
"You used to think something of my work, sir," I
pleaded.
"Somesing, somesing--yes!" he cried; "enough for a son
of a reech man--not enough for an orphan. Besides, I
sought you might learn to be an artist; I did not sink
you might learn to be a workman."
On a certain bench on the outer boulevard, not far from
the tomb of Napoleon--a bench shaded at that date by a
shabby tree, and commanding a view of muddy roadway and
blank wall--I sat down to wrestle with my misery.
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