Sandford approached and interrupted them.
"You are proficient in more than one art, I see. You paint as well as
though you knew nothing of music, and yet you sing like a man who has
made it an exclusive study."
Greenleaf simply bowed.
"How do you come on with the picture?" Mr. Sandford continued.
"Very well, I believe."
"My dear Sir, make haste and finish it."
"I thought you were not in a hurry."
"Not in the least, my friend; but when you get that finished, you can
paint others, which I can probably dispose of for you."
"You are very kind."
"I speak as a business man," said Sandford, in a lower tone, at which
Marcia withdrew. "The arts fare badly in time of a money panic, and all
the pictures you can sell now will be clear gain."
"Are there signs of a panic?"
"Decidedly; the rates of interest are advancing daily, and no one knows
where it will end. Unless there is some relief in the market by Western
remittances, the distress will be wide-spread and severe."
"I am obliged to you for the hint. I have two or three pictures nearly
done."
"I will look at them in a day or two, and try to find you purchasers."
Greenleaf expressed his thanks, warmly, and then walked towards Mrs.
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