Next day, at 10 precisely, a four
wheeled cab containing Mr. Pargiter,
a large easel, several canvases, numer
ous brown paper parcels, and a lay fig
ure. drew up at the Tomlinsons* house
hi Palatial Crescent. Mr. Pargiter was
shown at once into her ladyship’s bcu
doir.
“Now, Nfr. Pargiter,” said Lady Tom
linson. when she had welcomed the ar
tist, "I should like you to paint me an
Ideal head.”
Mr. Pargiter stared at Lady Tom
linson and suggested that the usual
way was to begin by drawing from
what he calk'd "the round” in charcoal.
"Mr. Pargiter,” said Lady Tomlin
son. “you wouldn’t refuse to oblige a
lady. I’m sure I shall learn much more
easily by seeing you work. My idea
you know, was that you should paint
nnd I should look on—Just at first, you
know, till I get my hand in.”
So Mr. I’arglter began to paint the
head of what he called a two-guinea
rustic. Mr. Pargiter was accustomed
to dispose of heads of tills description
to Wuggles, the frame maker and pict
ure dealer, for forty-two shillings. It
would be labeled:
Original Oil Painting, by Pargiter..
£4. 4s.
“I want you to leave the background
till the very last,” said Lady Tomlin
son.
"Oh, certainly,” replied the artist.
• I believe you artists,” said Lady
Tomlinson, “often smoke while you
paint. Are you a smoker, Mr. Par
giter?"
"I work twice as well when I smoke,”
said that gentleman; and there was a
knowing twinkle in his eye as he said
the words.
Lady Tomlinson left the room; she
returned with a box of Cabinet Par
tagas.
