All was referred to pages in the
manuscripts.
"By this means, sir," resumed the latter, "you will gut my fish in a
jiffy; permit me to recall that expression, with apologies for my
freedom. I would say, you will, in a few minutes of your valuable
existence, skim the cream of Triplet."
This author's respect for the manager's time carried him into further and
unusual details.
"Breakfast," said he, "is a quiet meal. Let me respectfully suggest, that
by placing one of my plots on the table, with, say, the sugar-basin upon
it (this, again, is a mere suggestion), and the play it appertains to on
your other side, you can readily judge my work without disturbing the
avocations of the day, and master a play in the twinkling of a teacup;
forgive my facetiousness. This day month, at ten of the clock, I shall
expect," said Triplet, with sudden severity, "sir, your decision!"
Then, gliding back to the courtier, he formally disowned all special
title to the consideration he expected from Mr. Rich's well-known
courtesy; still he begged permission to remind that gentleman that he
had, six years ago, painted for him a large scene, illuminated by two
great poetical incidents: a red sun, of dimensions never seen out of
doors in this or any country; and an ocean of sand, yellower than up to
that time had been attained in art or nature; and that once, when the
audience, late in the evening, had suddenly demanded a popular song from
Mr.
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