Королі та капуста
Masters of arts
Getacoupleofboystohelpyoumixthepaintifnecessary.I’vepickedupsomepointersaroundtown.ThepeopleherearebeginningtogetsickofMr.President.Theysayhe’sbeentoofreewithconcessions;andtheyaccusehimoftryingtomakeadickerwithEnglandtoselloutthecountry.Wewantthatpicturedoneandpaidforbeforethere’sanyrow."
InthegreatpatioofCasaMorena,thepresidentcausedtobestretchedahugecanvas.UnderthisWhitesetuphistemporarystudio.Fortwohourseachdaythegreatmansattohim.
Whiteworkedfaithfully.But,astheworkprogressed,hehadseasonsofbitterscorn,ofinfiniteself-contempt,ofsullengloomandsardonicgaiety.Keogh,withthepatienceofagreatgeneral,soothed,coaxed,argued—kepthimatthepicture.
AttheendofamonthWhiteannouncedthatthepicturewascompleted—Jupiter,Washington,angels,clouds,cannonandall.HisfacewaspaleandhismouthdrawnstraightwhenhetoldKeogh.Hesaidthepresidentwasmuchpleasedwithit.ItwastobehungintheNationalGalleryofStatesmenandHeroes.TheartisthadbeenrequestedtoreturntoCasaMorenaonthefollowingdaytoreceivepayment.Attheappointedtimeheleftthehotel,silentunderhisfriend’sjoyfultalkoftheirsuccess.
AnhourlaterhewalkedintotheroomwhereKeoghwaswaiting,threwhishatonthefloor,andsatuponthetable.
"Billy,"hesaid,instrainedandlabouringtones,"I’vealittlemoneyoutWestinasmallbusinessthatmybrotherisrunning.
