"
"You could never do any harm!" Shiel said, with so much eagerness that
Gladys got up and began searching for a piece of music. "I would give
anything to paint you."
"I have been painted--twice," Gladys observed.
"For the R.A.?"
"Yes! I didn't much care about it, and I grew desperately tired of
sitting."
"Who painted you?"
"Heniblow painted me once, and Darker painted me once."
"Then it's useless for me even to think of it. How did they treat you
in their pictures?"
"Heniblow painted me in evening dress, and Darker painted me in the
character of Enid--you know, the Enid in the 'Idylls of the King.'"
"Yes. But I should like to paint you as 'Melody in Flower Land.'"
"I'm afraid I can't grasp it," Gladys said.
"Can't you!" Shiel exclaimed, "I can. The idea came to me when I heard
you singing just now, and saw you sitting here, in the midst of
flowers, and dressed like a rose. I should paint you clad as you are
now--all in pink--seated in the garden singing; and all the flowers
leaning towards you listening. I would give anything to paint it," and
he spoke with such enthusiasm that Gladys, remembering her dream,
flushed.
"I think," she said, "we might go into the garden and see how the work
is progressing."
"I fear I can't do any more digging," Shiel put in hastily, "I
willingly would if I could, but I really can't use my hands."
"And you've not had any vaseline," Gladys cried.
Pages:
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161