beasts and superbeasts-第35章
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and…sixpenny set dinner receded from an everyday event to
a Sunday extravagance； on ordinary days the artist
contented himself with a sevenpenny omelette and some
bread and cheese； and there were evenings when he did not
put in an appearance at all。 On the rare occasions when
he spoke of his own affairs it was observed that he began
to talk more about Pomerania and less about the great
world of art。
〃It is a busy time there now with us；〃 he said
wistfully； 〃the schwines are driven out into the fields
after harvest； and must be looked after。 I could be
helping to look after if I was there。 Here it is
difficult to live； art is not appreciate。〃
〃Why don't you go home on a visit？〃 some one asked
tactfully。
〃Ah； it cost money！ There is the ship passage to
Stolpmunde； and there is money that I owe at my lodgings。
Even here I owe a few schillings。 If I could sell some
of my sketches … 〃
〃Perhaps；〃 suggested Mrs。 Nougat…Jones； 〃if you were
to offer them for a little less； some of us would be glad
to buy a few。 Ten shillings is always a consideration；
you know； to people who are not over well off。 Perhaps
if you were to ask six or seven shillings … 〃
Once a peasant； always a peasant。 The mere
suggestion of a bargain to be struck brought a twinkle of
awakened alertness into the artist's eyes； and hardened
the lines of his mouth。
〃Nine schilling nine pence each；〃 he snapped； and
seemed disappointed that Mrs。 Nougat…Jones did not pursue
the subject further。 He had evidently expected her to
offer seven and fourpence。
The weeks sped by； and Knopfschrank came more rarely
to the restaurant in Owl Street； while his meals on those
occasions became more and more meagre。 And then came a
triumphal day； when he appeared early in the evening in a
high state of elation； and ordered an elaborate meal that
scarcely stopped short of being a banquet。 The ordinary
resources of the kitchen were supplemented by an imported
dish of smoked goosebreast； a Pomeranian delicacy that
was luckily procurable at a firm of DELIKATESSEN
merchants in Coventry Street； while a long…necked bottle
of Rhine wine gave a finishing touch of festivity and
good cheer to the crowded table。
〃He has evidently sold his masterpiece；〃 whispered
Sylvia Strubble to Mrs。 Nougat…Jones； who had come in
late。
〃Who has bought it？〃 she whispered back。
〃Don't know； he hasn't said anything yet； but it
must be some American。 Do you see； he has got a little
American flag on the dessert dish； and he has put pennies
in the music box three times； once to play the 'Star…
spangled Banner；' then a Sousa march； and then the 'Star…
spangled Banner' again。 It must be an American
millionaire； and he's evidently got a very big price for
it； he's just beaming and chuckling with satisfaction。〃
〃We must ask him who has bought it；〃 said Mrs。
Nougat…Jones。
〃Hush！ no； don't。 Let's buy some of his sketches；
quick； before we are supposed to know that he's famous；
otherwise he'll be doubling the prices。 I am so glad
he's had a success at last。 I always believed in him；
you know。〃
For the sum of ten shillings each Miss Strubble
acquired the drawings of the camel dying in Upper
Berkeley Street and of the giraffes quenching their
thirst in Trafalgar Square； at the same price Mrs。
Nougat…Jones secured the study of roosting sand…grouse。
A more ambitious picture； 〃Wolves and wapiti fighting on
the steps of the Athenaeum Club；〃 found a purchaser at
fifteen shillings。
〃And now what are your plans？〃 asked a young man who
contributed occasional paragraphs to an artistic weekly。
〃I go back to Stolpmunde as soon as the ship sails；〃
said the artist； 〃and I do not return。 Never。〃
〃But your work？ Your career as painter？〃
〃Ah； there is nossing in it。 One starves。 Till to…
day I have sold not one of my sketches。 To…night you
have bought a few； because I am going away from you； but
at other times； not one。〃
〃But has not some American … ？〃
〃Ah； the rich American；〃 chuckled the artist。 〃God
be thanked。 He dash his car right into our herd of
schwines as they were being driven out to the fields。
Many of our best schwines he killed； but he paid all
damages。 He paid perhaps more than they were worth； many
times more than they would have fetched in the market
after a month of fattening； but he was in a hurry to get
on to Dantzig。
When one is in a hurry one must pay what one is
asked。 God be thanked for rich Americans； who are always
in a hurry to get somewhere else。 My father and mother；
they have now so plenty of money； they send me some to
pay my debts and come home。 I start on Monday for
Stolpmunde and I do not come back。 Never。〃
〃But your picture； the hyaenas？〃
〃No good。 It is too big to carry to Stolpmunde。 I
burn it。〃
In time he will be forgotten； but at present
Knopfschrank is almost as sore a subject as Sledonti with
some of the frequenters of the Nuremberg Restaurant； Owl
Street； Soho。
End
