The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
¡¡¡¡ The city of learning wore an estranged look, and he had lost all feeling for its associations. Yet as the sun made vivid lights and shades of the mullioned architecture of the facades, and drew patterns of the crinkled battlements on the young turf of the quadrangles, Jude thought he had never seen the place look more beautiful. He came to the street in which he had first beheld Sue. The chair she had occupied when, leaning over her ecclesiastical scrolls, a hog-hair brush in her hand, her girlish figure had arrested the gaze of his inquiring eyes, stood precisely in its former spot, empty. It was as if she were dead, and nobody had been found capable of succeeding her in that artistic pursuit. Hers was now the city phantom, while those of the intellectual and devotional worthies who had once moved him to emotion were no longer able to assert their presence there. ¡¡¡¡ However, here he was; and in fulfilment of his intention he went on to his former lodging in "Beersheba," near the ritualistic church of St. Silas. The old landlady who opened the door seemed glad to see him again, and bringing some lunch informed him that the builder who had employed him had called to inquire his address.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
the polish rider
the polish rider
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
"Come!" said he, "I'll have a curacao; and a light, please." ¡¡¡¡ She served the liqueur from one of the lovely bottles and striking a match held it to his cigarette with ministering archness while he whiffed. ¡¡¡¡ "Well, have you heard from your husband lately, my dear?" he asked. ¡¡¡¡ "Not a sound," said she. "Where is he?" ¡¡¡¡ "I left him in Australia; and I suppose he's there still." ¡¡¡¡ Jude's eyes grew rounder. ¡¡¡¡ "What made you part from him?" ¡¡¡¡ "Don't you ask questions, and you won't hear lies." ¡¡¡¡ "Come then, give me my change, which you've been keeping from me for the last quarter of an hour; and I'll romantically vanish up the street of this picturesque city." ¡¡¡¡ She handed the change over the counter, in taking which he caught her fingers and held them. There was a slight struggle and titter, and he bade her good-bye and left.
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
"Come!" said he, "I'll have a curacao; and a light, please." ¡¡¡¡ She served the liqueur from one of the lovely bottles and striking a match held it to his cigarette with ministering archness while he whiffed. ¡¡¡¡ "Well, have you heard from your husband lately, my dear?" he asked. ¡¡¡¡ "Not a sound," said she. "Where is he?" ¡¡¡¡ "I left him in Australia; and I suppose he's there still." ¡¡¡¡ Jude's eyes grew rounder. ¡¡¡¡ "What made you part from him?" ¡¡¡¡ "Don't you ask questions, and you won't hear lies." ¡¡¡¡ "Come then, give me my change, which you've been keeping from me for the last quarter of an hour; and I'll romantically vanish up the street of this picturesque city." ¡¡¡¡ She handed the change over the counter, in taking which he caught her fingers and held them. There was a slight struggle and titter, and he bade her good-bye and left.
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
¡¡¡¡ The barmaid attending to this compartment was invisible to Jude's direct glance, though a reflection of her back in the glass behind her was occasionally caught by his eyes. He had only observed this listlessly, when she turned her face for a moment to the glass to set her hair tidy. Then he was amazed to discover that the face was Arabella's. ¡¡¡¡ If she had come on to his compartment she would have seen him. But she did not, this being presided over by the maiden on the other side. Abby was in a black gown, with white linen cuffs and a broad white collar, and her figure, more developed than formerly, was accentuated by a bunch of daffodils that she wore on her left bosom. In the compartment she served stood an electro-plated fountain of water over a spirit-lamp, whose blue flame sent a steam from the top, all this being visible to him only in the mirror behind her; which also reflected the faces of the men she was attending to-- one of them a handsome, dissipated young fellow, possibly an undergraduate, who had been relating to her an experience of some humorous sort. ¡¡¡¡ "Oh, Mr. Cockman, now! How can you tell such a tale to me in my innocence!" she cried gaily. "Mr. Cockman, what do you use to make your moustache curl so beautiful?" As the young man was clean shaven the retort provoked a laugh at his expense.
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
¡¡¡¡ The barmaid attending to this compartment was invisible to Jude's direct glance, though a reflection of her back in the glass behind her was occasionally caught by his eyes. He had only observed this listlessly, when she turned her face for a moment to the glass to set her hair tidy. Then he was amazed to discover that the face was Arabella's. ¡¡¡¡ If she had come on to his compartment she would have seen him. But she did not, this being presided over by the maiden on the other side. Abby was in a black gown, with white linen cuffs and a broad white collar, and her figure, more developed than formerly, was accentuated by a bunch of daffodils that she wore on her left bosom. In the compartment she served stood an electro-plated fountain of water over a spirit-lamp, whose blue flame sent a steam from the top, all this being visible to him only in the mirror behind her; which also reflected the faces of the men she was attending to-- one of them a handsome, dissipated young fellow, possibly an undergraduate, who had been relating to her an experience of some humorous sort. ¡¡¡¡ "Oh, Mr. Cockman, now! How can you tell such a tale to me in my innocence!" she cried gaily. "Mr. Cockman, what do you use to make your moustache curl so beautiful?" As the young man was clean shaven the retort provoked a laugh at his expense.
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
Tinker Taylor drank off his glass and departed, saying it was too stylish a place now for him to feel at home in unless he was drunker than he had money to be just then. Jude was longer finishing his, and stood abstractedly silent in the, for the minute, almost empty place. The bar had been gutted and newly arranged throughout, mahogany fixtures having taken the place of the old painted ones, while at the back of the standing-space there were stuffed sofa-benches. The room was divided into compartments in the approved manner, between which were screens of ground glass in mahogany framing, to prevent topers in one compartment being put to the blush by the recognitions of those in the next. On the inside of the counter two barmaids leant over the white-handled beer-engines, and the row of little silvered taps inside, dripping into a pewter trough. ¡¡¡¡ Feeling tired, and having nothing more to do till the train left, Jude sat down on one of the sofas. At the back of the barmaids rose bevel-edged mirrors, with glass shelves running along their front, on which stood precious liquids that Jude did not know the name of, in bottles of topaz, sapphire, ruby and amethyst. The moment was enlivened by the entrance of some customers into the next compartment, and the starting of the mechanical tell-tale of monies received, which emitted a ting-ting every time a coin was put in.
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
Tinker Taylor drank off his glass and departed, saying it was too stylish a place now for him to feel at home in unless he was drunker than he had money to be just then. Jude was longer finishing his, and stood abstractedly silent in the, for the minute, almost empty place. The bar had been gutted and newly arranged throughout, mahogany fixtures having taken the place of the old painted ones, while at the back of the standing-space there were stuffed sofa-benches. The room was divided into compartments in the approved manner, between which were screens of ground glass in mahogany framing, to prevent topers in one compartment being put to the blush by the recognitions of those in the next. On the inside of the counter two barmaids leant over the white-handled beer-engines, and the row of little silvered taps inside, dripping into a pewter trough. ¡¡¡¡ Feeling tired, and having nothing more to do till the train left, Jude sat down on one of the sofas. At the back of the barmaids rose bevel-edged mirrors, with glass shelves running along their front, on which stood precious liquids that Jude did not know the name of, in bottles of topaz, sapphire, ruby and amethyst. The moment was enlivened by the entrance of some customers into the next compartment, and the starting of the mechanical tell-tale of monies received, which emitted a ting-ting every time a coin was put in.
The Three Ages of Woman
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
The Three Ages of Woman
¡¡¡¡ Jude went on to the stone-yard where he had worked. But the old sheds and bankers were distasteful to him; he felt it impossible to engage himself to return and stay in this place of vanished dreams. He longed for the hour of the homeward train to Alfredston, where he might probably meet Sue. ¡¡¡¡ Then, for one ghastly half-hour of depression caused by these scenes, there returned upon him that feeling which had been his undoing more than once--that he was not worth the trouble of being taken care of either by himself or others; and during this half-hour he met Tinker Taylor, the bankrupt ecclesiastical ironmonger, at Fourways, who proposed that they should adjourn to a bar and drink together. They walked along the street till they stood before one of the great palpitating centres of Christminster life, the inn wherein he formerly had responded to the challenge to rehearse the Creed in Latin-- now a popular tavern with a spacious and inviting entrance, which gave admittance to a bar that had been entirely renovated and refitted in modern style since Jude's residence here.
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
The Three Ages of Woman
¡¡¡¡ Jude went on to the stone-yard where he had worked. But the old sheds and bankers were distasteful to him; he felt it impossible to engage himself to return and stay in this place of vanished dreams. He longed for the hour of the homeward train to Alfredston, where he might probably meet Sue. ¡¡¡¡ Then, for one ghastly half-hour of depression caused by these scenes, there returned upon him that feeling which had been his undoing more than once--that he was not worth the trouble of being taken care of either by himself or others; and during this half-hour he met Tinker Taylor, the bankrupt ecclesiastical ironmonger, at Fourways, who proposed that they should adjourn to a bar and drink together. They walked along the street till they stood before one of the great palpitating centres of Christminster life, the inn wherein he formerly had responded to the challenge to rehearse the Creed in Latin-- now a popular tavern with a spacious and inviting entrance, which gave admittance to a bar that had been entirely renovated and refitted in modern style since Jude's residence here.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Water lily Pond
The Water lily Pond
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
¡¡¡¡ When she saw how wretched he was she softened, and trying to blink away her sympathetic tears said with all the winning reproachfulness of a heart-hurt woman: "Ah--you should have told me before you gave me that idea that you wanted to be allowed to love me! I had no feeling before that moment at the railway-station, except--" For once Sue was as miserable as he, in her attempts to keep herself free from emotion, and her less than half-success. ¡¡¡¡ "Don't cry, dear!" he implored. ¡¡¡¡ "I am--not crying--because I meant to--love you; but because of your want of--confidence!" ¡¡¡¡ They were quite screened from the market-square without, and he could not help putting out his arm towards her waist. His momentary desire was the means of her rallying. "No, no!" she said, drawing back stringently, and wiping her eyes. "Of course not! It would be hypocrisy to pretend that it would be meant as from my cousin; and it can't be in any other way." ¡¡¡¡ They moved on a dozen paces, and she showed herself recovered. It was distracting to Jude, and his heart would have ached less had she appeared anyhow but as she did appear; essentially large-minded and generous on reflection, despite a previous exercise of those narrow womanly humours on impulse that were necessary to give her sex.
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
¡¡¡¡ When she saw how wretched he was she softened, and trying to blink away her sympathetic tears said with all the winning reproachfulness of a heart-hurt woman: "Ah--you should have told me before you gave me that idea that you wanted to be allowed to love me! I had no feeling before that moment at the railway-station, except--" For once Sue was as miserable as he, in her attempts to keep herself free from emotion, and her less than half-success. ¡¡¡¡ "Don't cry, dear!" he implored. ¡¡¡¡ "I am--not crying--because I meant to--love you; but because of your want of--confidence!" ¡¡¡¡ They were quite screened from the market-square without, and he could not help putting out his arm towards her waist. His momentary desire was the means of her rallying. "No, no!" she said, drawing back stringently, and wiping her eyes. "Of course not! It would be hypocrisy to pretend that it would be meant as from my cousin; and it can't be in any other way." ¡¡¡¡ They moved on a dozen paces, and she showed herself recovered. It was distracting to Jude, and his heart would have ached less had she appeared anyhow but as she did appear; essentially large-minded and generous on reflection, despite a previous exercise of those narrow womanly humours on impulse that were necessary to give her sex.
Venus and Cupid
Venus and Cupid
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
¡¡¡¡ "You take me wrong, Sue! I never thought you cared for me at all, till quite lately; so I felt it did not matter! Do you care for me, Sue?--you know how I mean?--I don't like 'out of charity' at all!" ¡¡¡¡ It was a question which in the circumstances Sue did not choose to answer. ¡¡¡¡ "I suppose she--your wife--is--a very pretty woman even if she's wicked?" she asked quickly. ¡¡¡¡ "She's pretty enough, as far as that goes." ¡¡¡¡ "Prettier than I am, no doubt!" ¡¡¡¡ "You are not the least alike. And I have never seen her for years.... But she's sure to come back--they always do!" ¡¡¡¡ "How strange of you to stay apart from her like this!" said Sue, her trembling lip and lumpy throat belying her irony. "You, such a religious man. How will the demi-gods in your Pantheon--I mean those legendary persons you call saints--intercede for you after this? Now if I had done such a thing it would have been different, and not remarkable, for I at least don't regard marriage as a sacrament. Your theories are not so advanced as your practice!" ¡¡¡¡ "Sue, you are terribly cutting when you like to be--a perfect Voltaire! But you must treat me as you will!"
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
¡¡¡¡ "You take me wrong, Sue! I never thought you cared for me at all, till quite lately; so I felt it did not matter! Do you care for me, Sue?--you know how I mean?--I don't like 'out of charity' at all!" ¡¡¡¡ It was a question which in the circumstances Sue did not choose to answer. ¡¡¡¡ "I suppose she--your wife--is--a very pretty woman even if she's wicked?" she asked quickly. ¡¡¡¡ "She's pretty enough, as far as that goes." ¡¡¡¡ "Prettier than I am, no doubt!" ¡¡¡¡ "You are not the least alike. And I have never seen her for years.... But she's sure to come back--they always do!" ¡¡¡¡ "How strange of you to stay apart from her like this!" said Sue, her trembling lip and lumpy throat belying her irony. "You, such a religious man. How will the demi-gods in your Pantheon--I mean those legendary persons you call saints--intercede for you after this? Now if I had done such a thing it would have been different, and not remarkable, for I at least don't regard marriage as a sacrament. Your theories are not so advanced as your practice!" ¡¡¡¡ "Sue, you are terribly cutting when you like to be--a perfect Voltaire! But you must treat me as you will!"
The Three Ages of Woman
The Three Ages of Woman
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
The building by which they stood was the market-house, it was the only place available; and they entered, the market being over, and the stalls and areas empty. He would have preferred a more congenial spot, but, as usually happens, in place of a romantic field or solemn aisle for his tale, it was told while they walked up and down over a floor littered with rotten cabbage-leaves, and amid all the usual squalors of decayed vegetable matter and unsaleable refuse. He began and finished his brief narrative, which merely led up to the information that he had married a wife some years earlier, and that his wife was living still. Almost before her countenance had time to change she hurried out the words, ¡¡¡¡ "Why didn't you tell me before!" ¡¡¡¡ "I couldn't. It seemed so cruel to tell it." ¡¡¡¡ "To yourself, Jude. So it was better to be cruel to me!" ¡¡¡¡ "No, dear darling!" cried Jude passionately. He tried to take her hand, but she withdrew it. Their old relations of confidence seemed suddenly to have ended, and the antagonisms of sex to sex were left without any counter-poising predilections. She was his comrade, friend, unconscious sweetheart no longer; and her eyes regarded him in estranged silence. ¡¡¡¡ "I was ashamed of the episode in my life which brought about the marriage," he continued. "I can't explain it precisely now. I could have done it if you had taken it differently!" ¡¡¡¡ "But how can I?" she burst out. "Here I have been saying, or writing, that--that you might love me, or something of the sort!-- just out of charity--and all the time--oh, it is perfectly damnable how things are!" she said, stamping her foot in a nervous quiver.
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
The building by which they stood was the market-house, it was the only place available; and they entered, the market being over, and the stalls and areas empty. He would have preferred a more congenial spot, but, as usually happens, in place of a romantic field or solemn aisle for his tale, it was told while they walked up and down over a floor littered with rotten cabbage-leaves, and amid all the usual squalors of decayed vegetable matter and unsaleable refuse. He began and finished his brief narrative, which merely led up to the information that he had married a wife some years earlier, and that his wife was living still. Almost before her countenance had time to change she hurried out the words, ¡¡¡¡ "Why didn't you tell me before!" ¡¡¡¡ "I couldn't. It seemed so cruel to tell it." ¡¡¡¡ "To yourself, Jude. So it was better to be cruel to me!" ¡¡¡¡ "No, dear darling!" cried Jude passionately. He tried to take her hand, but she withdrew it. Their old relations of confidence seemed suddenly to have ended, and the antagonisms of sex to sex were left without any counter-poising predilections. She was his comrade, friend, unconscious sweetheart no longer; and her eyes regarded him in estranged silence. ¡¡¡¡ "I was ashamed of the episode in my life which brought about the marriage," he continued. "I can't explain it precisely now. I could have done it if you had taken it differently!" ¡¡¡¡ "But how can I?" she burst out. "Here I have been saying, or writing, that--that you might love me, or something of the sort!-- just out of charity--and all the time--oh, it is perfectly damnable how things are!" she said, stamping her foot in a nervous quiver.
the Night Watch
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
¡¡¡¡ "Does it really seem so to you?" said she, smiling with quick curiosity. "Well, that's strange; but I feel just the same about you, Jude. When you are gone away I seem such a coldhearted----" ¡¡¡¡ As she knew his sentiment towards her Jude saw that they were getting upon dangerous ground. It was now, he thought, that he must speak as an honest man. ¡¡¡¡ But he did not speak, and she continued: "It was that which made me write and say--I didn't mind your loving me--if you wanted to, much!" ¡¡¡¡ The exultation he might have felt at what that implied, or seemed to imply, was nullified by his intention, and he rested rigid till he began: "I have never told you----" ¡¡¡¡ "Yes you have," murmured she. ¡¡¡¡ "I mean, I have never told you my history--all of it." ¡¡¡¡ "But I guess it. l know nearly." ¡¡¡¡ Jude looked up. Could she possibly know of that morning performance of his with Arabella; which in a few months had ceased to be a marriage more completely than by death? He saw that she did not. ¡¡¡¡ "I can't quite tell you here in the street," he went on with a gloomy tongue. "And you had better not come to my lodgings. Let us go in here."
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
¡¡¡¡ "Does it really seem so to you?" said she, smiling with quick curiosity. "Well, that's strange; but I feel just the same about you, Jude. When you are gone away I seem such a coldhearted----" ¡¡¡¡ As she knew his sentiment towards her Jude saw that they were getting upon dangerous ground. It was now, he thought, that he must speak as an honest man. ¡¡¡¡ But he did not speak, and she continued: "It was that which made me write and say--I didn't mind your loving me--if you wanted to, much!" ¡¡¡¡ The exultation he might have felt at what that implied, or seemed to imply, was nullified by his intention, and he rested rigid till he began: "I have never told you----" ¡¡¡¡ "Yes you have," murmured she. ¡¡¡¡ "I mean, I have never told you my history--all of it." ¡¡¡¡ "But I guess it. l know nearly." ¡¡¡¡ Jude looked up. Could she possibly know of that morning performance of his with Arabella; which in a few months had ceased to be a marriage more completely than by death? He saw that she did not. ¡¡¡¡ "I can't quite tell you here in the street," he went on with a gloomy tongue. "And you had better not come to my lodgings. Let us go in here."
The Broken Pitcher
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
¡¡¡¡ "It is," said Jude solemnly. "Absolutely. So help me God!" ¡¡¡¡ The schoolmaster rose. Each of the twain felt that the interview could not comfortably merge in a friendly discussion of their recent experiences, after the manner of friends; and when Jude had taken him round, and shown him some features of the renovation which the old cathedral was undergoing, Phillotson bade the young man good-day and went away. ¡¡¡¡ This visit took place about eleven o'clock in the morning; but no Sue appeared. When Jude went to his dinner at one he saw his beloved ahead of him in the street leading up from the North Gate, walking as if no way looking for him. Speedily overtaking her he remarked that he had asked her to come to him at the cathedral, and she had promised. ¡¡¡¡ "I have been to get my things from the college," she said--an observation which he was expected to take as an answer, though it was not one. Finding her to be in this evasive mood he felt inclined to give her the information so long withheld. ¡¡¡¡ "You have not seen Mr. Phillotson to-day?" he ventured to inquire. ¡¡¡¡ "I have not. But I am not going to be cross-examined about him; and if you ask anything more I won't answer!" ¡¡¡¡ "It is very odd that--" He stopped, regarding her. ¡¡¡¡ "What?"
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
¡¡¡¡ "It is," said Jude solemnly. "Absolutely. So help me God!" ¡¡¡¡ The schoolmaster rose. Each of the twain felt that the interview could not comfortably merge in a friendly discussion of their recent experiences, after the manner of friends; and when Jude had taken him round, and shown him some features of the renovation which the old cathedral was undergoing, Phillotson bade the young man good-day and went away. ¡¡¡¡ This visit took place about eleven o'clock in the morning; but no Sue appeared. When Jude went to his dinner at one he saw his beloved ahead of him in the street leading up from the North Gate, walking as if no way looking for him. Speedily overtaking her he remarked that he had asked her to come to him at the cathedral, and she had promised. ¡¡¡¡ "I have been to get my things from the college," she said--an observation which he was expected to take as an answer, though it was not one. Finding her to be in this evasive mood he felt inclined to give her the information so long withheld. ¡¡¡¡ "You have not seen Mr. Phillotson to-day?" he ventured to inquire. ¡¡¡¡ "I have not. But I am not going to be cross-examined about him; and if you ask anything more I won't answer!" ¡¡¡¡ "It is very odd that--" He stopped, regarding her. ¡¡¡¡ "What?"
Monday, October 29, 2007
William Bouguereau Biblis painting
Biblis painting
William Bouguereau Biblis
Charity painting
¡¡¡¡ They entered the parlour of the school-house, where there was a lamp with a paper shade, which threw the light down on three or four books. Phillotson took it off, so that they could see each other better, and the rays fell on the nervous little face and vivacious dark eyes and hair of Sue, on the earnest features of her cousin, and on the schoolmaster's own maturer face and figure, showing him to be a spare and thoughtful personage of five-and-forty, with a thin-lipped, somewhat refined mouth, a slightly stooping habit, and a black frock coat, which from continued frictions shone a little at the shoulder-blades, the middle of the back, and the elbows. ¡¡¡¡ The old friendship was imperceptibly renewed, the schoolmaster speaking of his experiences, and the cousins of theirs. He told them that he still thought of the Church sometimes, and that though he could not enter it as he had intended to do in former years he might enter it as a licentiate. Meanwhile, he said, he was comfortable in his present position, though he was in want of a pupil-teacher. They did not stay to supper, Sue having to be indoors before it grew late, and the road was retraced to Christminster. Though they had talked of nothing more than general subjects, Jude was surprised to find what a revelation of woman his cousin was to him. She was so vibrant that everything she did seemed to have its source in feeling. An exciting thought would make her walk ahead so fast that he could hardly keep up with her; and her sensitiveness on some points was such that it might have been misread as vanity. It was with heart-sickness he perceived that, while her sentiments towards him were those of the frankest friendliness only, he loved her more than before becoming acquainted with her; and the gloom of the walk home lay not in the night overhead, but in the thought of her departure.
William Bouguereau Biblis
Charity painting
¡¡¡¡ They entered the parlour of the school-house, where there was a lamp with a paper shade, which threw the light down on three or four books. Phillotson took it off, so that they could see each other better, and the rays fell on the nervous little face and vivacious dark eyes and hair of Sue, on the earnest features of her cousin, and on the schoolmaster's own maturer face and figure, showing him to be a spare and thoughtful personage of five-and-forty, with a thin-lipped, somewhat refined mouth, a slightly stooping habit, and a black frock coat, which from continued frictions shone a little at the shoulder-blades, the middle of the back, and the elbows. ¡¡¡¡ The old friendship was imperceptibly renewed, the schoolmaster speaking of his experiences, and the cousins of theirs. He told them that he still thought of the Church sometimes, and that though he could not enter it as he had intended to do in former years he might enter it as a licentiate. Meanwhile, he said, he was comfortable in his present position, though he was in want of a pupil-teacher. They did not stay to supper, Sue having to be indoors before it grew late, and the road was retraced to Christminster. Though they had talked of nothing more than general subjects, Jude was surprised to find what a revelation of woman his cousin was to him. She was so vibrant that everything she did seemed to have its source in feeling. An exciting thought would make her walk ahead so fast that he could hardly keep up with her; and her sensitiveness on some points was such that it might have been misread as vanity. It was with heart-sickness he perceived that, while her sentiments towards him were those of the frankest friendliness only, he loved her more than before becoming acquainted with her; and the gloom of the walk home lay not in the night overhead, but in the thought of her departure.
A Greek Beauty
A Greek Beauty
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
American Day Dream
Yes. I was there a short time. And is this an old pupil, too?" ¡¡¡¡ "No--that's my cousin.... I wrote to you for some grammars, if you recollect, and you sent them?" ¡¡¡¡ "Ah--yes!--I do dimly recall that incident." ¡¡¡¡ "It was very kind of you to do it. And it was you who first started me on that course. On the morning you left Marygreen, when your goods were on the waggon, you wished me good-bye, and said your scheme was to be a university man and enter the Church-- that a degree was the necessary hall-mark of one who wanted to do anything as a theologian or teacher." ¡¡¡¡ "I remember I thought all that privately; but I wonder I did not keep my own counsel. The idea was given up years ago." ¡¡¡¡ "I have never forgotten it. It was that which brought me to this part of the country, and out here to see you to-night." ¡¡¡¡ "Come in," said Phillotson. "And your cousin, too."
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
American Day Dream
Yes. I was there a short time. And is this an old pupil, too?" ¡¡¡¡ "No--that's my cousin.... I wrote to you for some grammars, if you recollect, and you sent them?" ¡¡¡¡ "Ah--yes!--I do dimly recall that incident." ¡¡¡¡ "It was very kind of you to do it. And it was you who first started me on that course. On the morning you left Marygreen, when your goods were on the waggon, you wished me good-bye, and said your scheme was to be a university man and enter the Church-- that a degree was the necessary hall-mark of one who wanted to do anything as a theologian or teacher." ¡¡¡¡ "I remember I thought all that privately; but I wonder I did not keep my own counsel. The idea was given up years ago." ¡¡¡¡ "I have never forgotten it. It was that which brought me to this part of the country, and out here to see you to-night." ¡¡¡¡ "Come in," said Phillotson. "And your cousin, too."
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
She agreed, and they went along up a hill, and through some prettily wooded country. Presently the embattled tower and square turret of the church rose into the sky, and then the school-house. They inquired of a person in the street if Mr. Phillotson was likely to be at home, and were informed that he was always at home. A knock brought him to the school-house door, with a candle in his hand and a look of inquiry on his face, which had grown thin and careworn since Jude last set eyes on him. ¡¡¡¡ That after all these years the meeting with Mr. Phillotson should be of this homely complexion destroyed at one stroke the halo which had surrounded the school-master's figure in Jude's imagination ever since their parting. It created in him at the same time a sympathy with Phillotson as an obviously much chastened and disappointed man. Jude told him his name, and said he had come to see him as an old friend who had been kind to him in his youthful days. ¡¡¡¡ "I don't remember you in the least," said the school-master thoughtfully. "You were one of my pupils, you say? Yes, no doubt; but they number so many thousands by this time of my life, and have naturally changed so much, that I remember very few except the quite recent ones."
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
She agreed, and they went along up a hill, and through some prettily wooded country. Presently the embattled tower and square turret of the church rose into the sky, and then the school-house. They inquired of a person in the street if Mr. Phillotson was likely to be at home, and were informed that he was always at home. A knock brought him to the school-house door, with a candle in his hand and a look of inquiry on his face, which had grown thin and careworn since Jude last set eyes on him. ¡¡¡¡ That after all these years the meeting with Mr. Phillotson should be of this homely complexion destroyed at one stroke the halo which had surrounded the school-master's figure in Jude's imagination ever since their parting. It created in him at the same time a sympathy with Phillotson as an obviously much chastened and disappointed man. Jude told him his name, and said he had come to see him as an old friend who had been kind to him in his youthful days. ¡¡¡¡ "I don't remember you in the least," said the school-master thoughtfully. "You were one of my pupils, you say? Yes, no doubt; but they number so many thousands by this time of my life, and have naturally changed so much, that I remember very few except the quite recent ones."
The Three Ages of Woman
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
Yes. That's unfortunate. I have hardly any other friend. I have, indeed, one very old friend here somewhere, but I don't quite like to call on him just yet. I wonder if you know anything of him-- Mr. Phillotson? A parson somewhere about the county I think he is." ¡¡¡¡ "No--I only know of one Mr. Phillotson. He lives a little way out in the country, at Lumsdon. He's a village schoolmaster." ¡¡¡¡ "Ah! I wonder if he's the same. Surely it is impossible! Only a schoolmaster still! Do you know his Christian name-- is it Richard?" ¡¡¡¡ "Yes--it is; I've directed books to him, though I've never seen him." ¡¡¡¡ "Then he couldn't do it!" ¡¡¡¡ Jude's countenance fell, for how could he succeed in an enterprise wherein the great Phillotson had failed? He would have had a day of despair if the news had not arrived during his sweet Sue's presence, but even at this moment he had visions of how Phillotson's failure in the grand university scheme would depress him when she had gone. ¡¡¡¡ "As we are going to take a walk, suppose we go and call upon him?" said Jude suddenly. "It is not late."
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
Yes. That's unfortunate. I have hardly any other friend. I have, indeed, one very old friend here somewhere, but I don't quite like to call on him just yet. I wonder if you know anything of him-- Mr. Phillotson? A parson somewhere about the county I think he is." ¡¡¡¡ "No--I only know of one Mr. Phillotson. He lives a little way out in the country, at Lumsdon. He's a village schoolmaster." ¡¡¡¡ "Ah! I wonder if he's the same. Surely it is impossible! Only a schoolmaster still! Do you know his Christian name-- is it Richard?" ¡¡¡¡ "Yes--it is; I've directed books to him, though I've never seen him." ¡¡¡¡ "Then he couldn't do it!" ¡¡¡¡ Jude's countenance fell, for how could he succeed in an enterprise wherein the great Phillotson had failed? He would have had a day of despair if the news had not arrived during his sweet Sue's presence, but even at this moment he had visions of how Phillotson's failure in the grand university scheme would depress him when she had gone. ¡¡¡¡ "As we are going to take a walk, suppose we go and call upon him?" said Jude suddenly. "It is not late."
William Bouguereau The Nut Gatherers Painting
William Bouguereau The Nut Gatherers Painting
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The voice, though positive and silvery, had been tremulous. They walked on in parallel lines, and, waiting her pleasure, Jude watched till she showed signs of closing in, when he did likewise, the place being where the carriers' carts stood in the daytime, though there was none on the spot then. ¡¡¡¡ "I am sorry that I asked you to meet me, and didn't call," began Jude with the bashfulness of a lover. "But I thought it would save time if we were going to walk." ¡¡¡¡ "Oh--I don't mind that," she said with the freedom of a friend. "I have really no place to ask anybody in to. What I meant was that the place you chose was so horrid--I suppose I ought not to say horrid-- I mean gloomy and inauspicious in its associations.... But isn't it funny to begin like this, when I don't know you yet?" She looked him up and down curiously, though Jude did not look much at her. ¡¡¡¡ "You seem to know me more than I know you," she added. ¡¡¡¡ "Yes--I have seen you now and then." ¡¡¡¡ "And you knew who I was, and didn't speak? And now I am going away!"
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The voice, though positive and silvery, had been tremulous. They walked on in parallel lines, and, waiting her pleasure, Jude watched till she showed signs of closing in, when he did likewise, the place being where the carriers' carts stood in the daytime, though there was none on the spot then. ¡¡¡¡ "I am sorry that I asked you to meet me, and didn't call," began Jude with the bashfulness of a lover. "But I thought it would save time if we were going to walk." ¡¡¡¡ "Oh--I don't mind that," she said with the freedom of a friend. "I have really no place to ask anybody in to. What I meant was that the place you chose was so horrid--I suppose I ought not to say horrid-- I mean gloomy and inauspicious in its associations.... But isn't it funny to begin like this, when I don't know you yet?" She looked him up and down curiously, though Jude did not look much at her. ¡¡¡¡ "You seem to know me more than I know you," she added. ¡¡¡¡ "Yes--I have seen you now and then." ¡¡¡¡ "And you knew who I was, and didn't speak? And now I am going away!"
Sunday, October 28, 2007
William Bouguereau Biblis painting
William Bouguereau Biblis
Biblis painting
Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
It was not till now, when he found himself actually on the spot of his enthusiasm, that Jude perceived how far away from the object of that enthusiasm he really was. Only a wall divided him from those happy young contemporaries of his with whom he shared a common mental life; men who had nothing to do from morning till night but to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. Only a wall-- but what a wall! ¡¡¡¡ Every day, every hour, as he went in search of labour, he saw them going and coming also, rubbed shoulders with them, heard their voices, marked their movements. The conversation of some of the more thoughtful among them seemed oftentimes, owing to his long and persistent preparation for this place, to be peculiarly akin to his own thoughts. Yet he was as far from them as if he had been at the antipodes. Of course he was. He was a young workman in a white blouse, and with stone-dust in the creases of his clothes; and in passing him they did not even see him, or hear him, rather saw through him as through a pane of glass at their familiars beyond. Whatever they were to him, he to them was not on the spot at all; and yet he had fancied he would be close to their lives by coming there.
Biblis painting
Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
It was not till now, when he found himself actually on the spot of his enthusiasm, that Jude perceived how far away from the object of that enthusiasm he really was. Only a wall divided him from those happy young contemporaries of his with whom he shared a common mental life; men who had nothing to do from morning till night but to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. Only a wall-- but what a wall! ¡¡¡¡ Every day, every hour, as he went in search of labour, he saw them going and coming also, rubbed shoulders with them, heard their voices, marked their movements. The conversation of some of the more thoughtful among them seemed oftentimes, owing to his long and persistent preparation for this place, to be peculiarly akin to his own thoughts. Yet he was as far from them as if he had been at the antipodes. Of course he was. He was a young workman in a white blouse, and with stone-dust in the creases of his clothes; and in passing him they did not even see him, or hear him, rather saw through him as through a pane of glass at their familiars beyond. Whatever they were to him, he to them was not on the spot at all; and yet he had fancied he would be close to their lives by coming there.
A Greek Beauty
A Greek Beauty
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
American Day Dream
¡¡¡¡ There remained the schoolmaster--probably now a reverend parson. But he could not possibly hunt up such a respectable man just yet; so raw and unpolished was his condition, so precarious were his fortunes. Thus he still remained in loneliness. Although people moved round him he virtually saw none. Not as yet having mingled with the active life of the place it was largely non-existent to him. But the saints and prophets in the window-tracery, the paintings in the galleries, the statues, the busts, the gargoyles, the corbel-heads-- these seemed to breathe his atmosphere. Like all new comers to a spot on which the past is deeply graven he heard that past announcing itself with an emphasis altogether unsuspected by, and even incredible to, the habitual residents. ¡¡¡¡ For many days he haunted the cloisters and quadrangles of the colleges at odd minutes in passing them, surprised by impish echoes of his own footsteps, smart as the blows of a mallet. The Christminster "sentiment," as it had been called, ate further and further into him; till he probably knew more about those buildings materially, artistically, and historically, than any one of their inmates.
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
American Day Dream
¡¡¡¡ There remained the schoolmaster--probably now a reverend parson. But he could not possibly hunt up such a respectable man just yet; so raw and unpolished was his condition, so precarious were his fortunes. Thus he still remained in loneliness. Although people moved round him he virtually saw none. Not as yet having mingled with the active life of the place it was largely non-existent to him. But the saints and prophets in the window-tracery, the paintings in the galleries, the statues, the busts, the gargoyles, the corbel-heads-- these seemed to breathe his atmosphere. Like all new comers to a spot on which the past is deeply graven he heard that past announcing itself with an emphasis altogether unsuspected by, and even incredible to, the habitual residents. ¡¡¡¡ For many days he haunted the cloisters and quadrangles of the colleges at odd minutes in passing them, surprised by impish echoes of his own footsteps, smart as the blows of a mallet. The Christminster "sentiment," as it had been called, ate further and further into him; till he probably knew more about those buildings materially, artistically, and historically, than any one of their inmates.
A Greek Beauty
A Greek Beauty
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
American Day Dream
¡¡¡¡ There remained the schoolmaster--probably now a reverend parson. But he could not possibly hunt up such a respectable man just yet; so raw and unpolished was his condition, so precarious were his fortunes. Thus he still remained in loneliness. Although people moved round him he virtually saw none. Not as yet having mingled with the active life of the place it was largely non-existent to him. But the saints and prophets in the window-tracery, the paintings in the galleries, the statues, the busts, the gargoyles, the corbel-heads-- these seemed to breathe his atmosphere. Like all new comers to a spot on which the past is deeply graven he heard that past announcing itself with an emphasis altogether unsuspected by, and even incredible to, the habitual residents. ¡¡¡¡ For many days he haunted the cloisters and quadrangles of the colleges at odd minutes in passing them, surprised by impish echoes of his own footsteps, smart as the blows of a mallet. The Christminster "sentiment," as it had been called, ate further and further into him; till he probably knew more about those buildings materially, artistically, and historically, than any one of their inmates.
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
American Day Dream
¡¡¡¡ There remained the schoolmaster--probably now a reverend parson. But he could not possibly hunt up such a respectable man just yet; so raw and unpolished was his condition, so precarious were his fortunes. Thus he still remained in loneliness. Although people moved round him he virtually saw none. Not as yet having mingled with the active life of the place it was largely non-existent to him. But the saints and prophets in the window-tracery, the paintings in the galleries, the statues, the busts, the gargoyles, the corbel-heads-- these seemed to breathe his atmosphere. Like all new comers to a spot on which the past is deeply graven he heard that past announcing itself with an emphasis altogether unsuspected by, and even incredible to, the habitual residents. ¡¡¡¡ For many days he haunted the cloisters and quadrangles of the colleges at odd minutes in passing them, surprised by impish echoes of his own footsteps, smart as the blows of a mallet. The Christminster "sentiment," as it had been called, ate further and further into him; till he probably knew more about those buildings materially, artistically, and historically, than any one of their inmates.
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
¡¡¡¡ Moreover he perceived that at best only copying, patching and imitating went on here; which he fancied to be owing to some temporary and local cause. He did not at that time see that mediaevalism was as dead as a fern-leaf in a lump of coal; that other developments were shaping in the world around him, in which Gothic architecture and its associations had no place. The deadly animosity of contemporary logic and vision towards so much of what he held in reverence was not yet revealed to him. ¡¡¡¡ Having failed to obtain work here as yet he went away, and thought again of his cousin, whose presence somewhere at hand he seemed to feel in wavelets of interest, if not of emotion. How he wished he had that pretty portrait of her! At last he wrote to his aunt to send it. She did so, with a request, however, that he was not to bring disturbance into the family by going to see the girl or her relations. Jude, a ridiculously affectionate fellow, promised nothing, put the photograph on the mantel-piece, kissed it-- he did not know why--and felt more at home. She seemed to look down and preside over his tea. It was cheering--the one thing uniting him to the emotions of the living city.
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
¡¡¡¡ Moreover he perceived that at best only copying, patching and imitating went on here; which he fancied to be owing to some temporary and local cause. He did not at that time see that mediaevalism was as dead as a fern-leaf in a lump of coal; that other developments were shaping in the world around him, in which Gothic architecture and its associations had no place. The deadly animosity of contemporary logic and vision towards so much of what he held in reverence was not yet revealed to him. ¡¡¡¡ Having failed to obtain work here as yet he went away, and thought again of his cousin, whose presence somewhere at hand he seemed to feel in wavelets of interest, if not of emotion. How he wished he had that pretty portrait of her! At last he wrote to his aunt to send it. She did so, with a request, however, that he was not to bring disturbance into the family by going to see the girl or her relations. Jude, a ridiculously affectionate fellow, promised nothing, put the photograph on the mantel-piece, kissed it-- he did not know why--and felt more at home. She seemed to look down and preside over his tea. It was cheering--the one thing uniting him to the emotions of the living city.
The Three Ages of Woman
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
The yard was a little centre of regeneration. Here, with keen edges and smooth curves, were forms in the exact likeness of those he had seen abraded and time-eaten on the walls. These were the ideas in modern prose which the lichened colleges presented in old poetry. Even some of those antiques might have been called prose when they were new. They had done nothing but wait, and had become poetical. How easy to the smallest building; how impossible to most men. ¡¡¡¡ He asked for the foreman, and looked round among the new traceries, mullions, transoms, shafts, pinnacles, and battlements standing on the bankers half worked, or waiting to be removed. They were marked by precision, mathematical straightness, smoothness, exactitude: there in the old walls were the broken lines of the original idea; jagged curves, disdain of precision, irregularity, disarray. ¡¡¡¡ For a moment there fell on Jude a true illumination; that here in the stone yard was a centre of effort as worthy as that dignified by the name of scholarly study within the noblest of the colleges. But he lost it under stress of his old idea. He would accept any employment which might be offered him on the strength of his late employer's recommendation; but he would accept it as a provisional thing only. This was his form of the modern vice of unrest.
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
The yard was a little centre of regeneration. Here, with keen edges and smooth curves, were forms in the exact likeness of those he had seen abraded and time-eaten on the walls. These were the ideas in modern prose which the lichened colleges presented in old poetry. Even some of those antiques might have been called prose when they were new. They had done nothing but wait, and had become poetical. How easy to the smallest building; how impossible to most men. ¡¡¡¡ He asked for the foreman, and looked round among the new traceries, mullions, transoms, shafts, pinnacles, and battlements standing on the bankers half worked, or waiting to be removed. They were marked by precision, mathematical straightness, smoothness, exactitude: there in the old walls were the broken lines of the original idea; jagged curves, disdain of precision, irregularity, disarray. ¡¡¡¡ For a moment there fell on Jude a true illumination; that here in the stone yard was a centre of effort as worthy as that dignified by the name of scholarly study within the noblest of the colleges. But he lost it under stress of his old idea. He would accept any employment which might be offered him on the strength of his late employer's recommendation; but he would accept it as a provisional thing only. This was his form of the modern vice of unrest.
William Bouguereau The Nut Gatherers Painting
William Bouguereau The Nut Gatherers Painting
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
¡¡¡¡ The numberless architectural pages around him he read, naturally, less as an artist-critic of their forms than as an artizan and comrade of the dead handicraftsmen whose muscles had actually executed those forms. He examined the mouldings, stroked them as one who knew their beginning, said they were difficult or easy in the working, had taken little or much time, were trying to the arm, or convenient to the tool. ¡¡¡¡ What at night had been perfect and ideal was by day the more or less defective real. Cruelties, insults, had, he perceived, been inflicted on the aged erections. The condition of several moved him as he would have been moved by maimed sentient beings. They were wounded, broken, sloughing off their outer shape in the deadly struggle against years, weather, and man. ¡¡¡¡ The rottenness of these historical documents reminded him that he was not, after all, hastening on to begin the morning practically as he had intended. He had come to work, and to live by work, and the morning had nearly gone. It was, in one sense, encouraging to think that in a place of crumbling stones there must be plenty for one of his trade to do in the business of renovation. He asked his way to the workyard of the stone-mason whose name had been given him at Alfredston; and soon heard the familiar sound of the rubbers and chisels.
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
¡¡¡¡ The numberless architectural pages around him he read, naturally, less as an artist-critic of their forms than as an artizan and comrade of the dead handicraftsmen whose muscles had actually executed those forms. He examined the mouldings, stroked them as one who knew their beginning, said they were difficult or easy in the working, had taken little or much time, were trying to the arm, or convenient to the tool. ¡¡¡¡ What at night had been perfect and ideal was by day the more or less defective real. Cruelties, insults, had, he perceived, been inflicted on the aged erections. The condition of several moved him as he would have been moved by maimed sentient beings. They were wounded, broken, sloughing off their outer shape in the deadly struggle against years, weather, and man. ¡¡¡¡ The rottenness of these historical documents reminded him that he was not, after all, hastening on to begin the morning practically as he had intended. He had come to work, and to live by work, and the morning had nearly gone. It was, in one sense, encouraging to think that in a place of crumbling stones there must be plenty for one of his trade to do in the business of renovation. He asked his way to the workyard of the stone-mason whose name had been given him at Alfredston; and soon heard the familiar sound of the rubbers and chisels.
Friday, October 26, 2007
William Bouguereau Biblis painting
William Bouguereau Biblis
Biblis painting
Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
Stoddart-West gave a deep sigh.
"Smashing luck for us, wasn't it?" he said. "On our last day, too."
"Last day?"
"Yes," said Alexander. "I'm going to Stodders' place tomorrow for the last few days of the holidays. Stodders' people have got a smashing house - Queen Anne, isn't it?"
"William and Mary," said Stoddart-West.
"I thought your mother said –"
"Mum's French. She doesn't really know about English architecture."
"But your father said it was built –"
Craddock was examining the envelope.
Clever of Lucy Eyelesbarrow. How had she managed to fake the post mark? He peered closely, but the light was too feeble. Great fun for the boys, of course, but rather awkward for him. Lucy, drat her, hadn't considered that angle. If this were genuine, it would enforce a course of action. There…
Beside him a learned architectural argument was being hotly pursued.
Biblis painting
Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
Stoddart-West gave a deep sigh.
"Smashing luck for us, wasn't it?" he said. "On our last day, too."
"Last day?"
"Yes," said Alexander. "I'm going to Stodders' place tomorrow for the last few days of the holidays. Stodders' people have got a smashing house - Queen Anne, isn't it?"
"William and Mary," said Stoddart-West.
"I thought your mother said –"
"Mum's French. She doesn't really know about English architecture."
"But your father said it was built –"
Craddock was examining the envelope.
Clever of Lucy Eyelesbarrow. How had she managed to fake the post mark? He peered closely, but the light was too feeble. Great fun for the boys, of course, but rather awkward for him. Lucy, drat her, hadn't considered that angle. If this were genuine, it would enforce a course of action. There…
Beside him a learned architectural argument was being hotly pursued.
A Greek Beauty
A Greek Beauty
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
American Day Dream
Craddock took it with due solemnity. He liked the boys and he was ready to enter into the spirit of the thing.
The letter had been through the post, there was no enclosure inside, it was just a torn envelope - addressed to Mrs. Martine Crackenthorpe, 126 Elvers Crescent, N.10.
"You see?" said Alexander breathlessly. "It shows she was here – Uncle Edmund's French wife, I mean – the one there's all the fuss about. She must have actually been here and dropped it somewhere. So it looks, doesn't it –"
Stoddart-West broke in:
"It looks as though she was the one who got murdered - I mean, don't you think, sir, that it simply must have been her in the sarcophagus?"
They waited anxiously.
Craddock played up.
"Possible, very possible," he said.
"This is important, isn't it?"
"You'll test it for fingerprints, won't you, sir?"
"Of course," said Craddock.
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
American Day Dream
Craddock took it with due solemnity. He liked the boys and he was ready to enter into the spirit of the thing.
The letter had been through the post, there was no enclosure inside, it was just a torn envelope - addressed to Mrs. Martine Crackenthorpe, 126 Elvers Crescent, N.10.
"You see?" said Alexander breathlessly. "It shows she was here – Uncle Edmund's French wife, I mean – the one there's all the fuss about. She must have actually been here and dropped it somewhere. So it looks, doesn't it –"
Stoddart-West broke in:
"It looks as though she was the one who got murdered - I mean, don't you think, sir, that it simply must have been her in the sarcophagus?"
They waited anxiously.
Craddock played up.
"Possible, very possible," he said.
"This is important, isn't it?"
"You'll test it for fingerprints, won't you, sir?"
"Of course," said Craddock.
Venus and Cupid
Venus and Cupid
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
"For when the boiler goes out and he wants to start it again –"
"Any odd paper that's blowing about. He picks it up and shoves it in there –"
"And that's where we found it –"
"Found what?" Craddock interrupted the duet.
"The clue. Careful, Stodders, get your gloves on."
Important, Stoddart-West, in the best detective story tradition, drew on a pair of rather dirty gloves and took from his pocket a Kodak photographic folder. From this he extracted in his gloved fingers with the utmost care a soiled and crumpled envelope which he handed importantly to the inspector.
Both boys held their breath in excitement.
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
"For when the boiler goes out and he wants to start it again –"
"Any odd paper that's blowing about. He picks it up and shoves it in there –"
"And that's where we found it –"
"Found what?" Craddock interrupted the duet.
"The clue. Careful, Stodders, get your gloves on."
Important, Stoddart-West, in the best detective story tradition, drew on a pair of rather dirty gloves and took from his pocket a Kodak photographic folder. From this he extracted in his gloved fingers with the utmost care a soiled and crumpled envelope which he handed importantly to the inspector.
Both boys held their breath in excitement.
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
There were certain tokens of occupancy about. The decayed mattresses had been piled up to make a kind of divan, there was an old rusted table on which reposed a large tin of chocolate biscuits, there was a hoard of apples, a tin of toffee, and a jig-saw puzzle.
"It really is a clue, sir," said Stoddart-West eagerly, his eyes gleaming behind his spectacles. "We found it this afternoon."
"We've been hunting for days. In the bushes –"
"And inside hollow trees –"
"And we went all through the ash bins –"
"There were some jolly interesting things there, as a matter of fact –"
"And then we went into the boiler house –"
"Old Hillman keeps a great galvanised tub there full of waste paper –"
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
There were certain tokens of occupancy about. The decayed mattresses had been piled up to make a kind of divan, there was an old rusted table on which reposed a large tin of chocolate biscuits, there was a hoard of apples, a tin of toffee, and a jig-saw puzzle.
"It really is a clue, sir," said Stoddart-West eagerly, his eyes gleaming behind his spectacles. "We found it this afternoon."
"We've been hunting for days. In the bushes –"
"And inside hollow trees –"
"And we went all through the ash bins –"
"There were some jolly interesting things there, as a matter of fact –"
"And then we went into the boiler house –"
"Old Hillman keeps a great galvanised tub there full of waste paper –"
the Night Watch
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider "Splendid," he said in a perfunctory manner. "Let's go inside the house and look at it."
"No," Alexander was insistent. "Someone's sure to interrupt. Come to the harness room. We'll guide you."
Somewhat unwillingly, Craddock allowed himself to be guided round the corner of the house and along to the stable yard. Stoddart-West pushed open a heavy door, stretched up, and turned on a rather feeble electric light. The harness room, once the acme of Victorian spit and polish, was now the sad repository of everything that no one wanted. Broken garden chairs, rusted old garden implements, a vast decrepit mowing-machine, rusted spring mattresses, hammocks, and disintegrated tennis nets.
"We come here a good deal," said Alexander. "One can really be private here."
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider "Splendid," he said in a perfunctory manner. "Let's go inside the house and look at it."
"No," Alexander was insistent. "Someone's sure to interrupt. Come to the harness room. We'll guide you."
Somewhat unwillingly, Craddock allowed himself to be guided round the corner of the house and along to the stable yard. Stoddart-West pushed open a heavy door, stretched up, and turned on a rather feeble electric light. The harness room, once the acme of Victorian spit and polish, was now the sad repository of everything that no one wanted. Broken garden chairs, rusted old garden implements, a vast decrepit mowing-machine, rusted spring mattresses, hammocks, and disintegrated tennis nets.
"We come here a good deal," said Alexander. "One can really be private here."
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Abstract Painting The Three Ages of Woman
Abstract Painting
"You are, of course, Mr. Crackenthorpe," said Craddock soothingly and rising as he spoke. "But we understood that you had already told Inspector Bacon all you knew, and that, your health not being good, we must not make too many demands upon it. Dr. Quimper said –"
"I dare say - I dare say. I'm not a strong man…. As for Dr. Quimper, he's a regular old woman – perfectly good doctor, understands my case - but inclined to wrap me up in cotton-wool. Got a bee in his bonnet about food. Went on at me Christmas-time when I had a bit of a turn - what did I eat?
The Three Ages of Woman
When? Who cooked it? Who served it? Fuss, fuss, fuss! But though I may have indifferent health, I'm well enough to give you all the help that's in my power. Murder in my own house - or at any rate in my own barn! Interesting building, that. Elizabethan. Local architect says not – but fellow doesn't know what he's talking about. Not a day later than 1580 - but that's not what we're talking about. What do you want to know? What's your present theory?"
"It's a little too early for theories, Mr. Crackenthorpe. We are still trying to find out who the woman was?"
"Foreigner, you say?"
"We think so."
"Enemy agent?"
"Unlikely, I should say."
Abstract Painting
"You are, of course, Mr. Crackenthorpe," said Craddock soothingly and rising as he spoke. "But we understood that you had already told Inspector Bacon all you knew, and that, your health not being good, we must not make too many demands upon it. Dr. Quimper said –"
"I dare say - I dare say. I'm not a strong man…. As for Dr. Quimper, he's a regular old woman – perfectly good doctor, understands my case - but inclined to wrap me up in cotton-wool. Got a bee in his bonnet about food. Went on at me Christmas-time when I had a bit of a turn - what did I eat?
The Three Ages of Woman
When? Who cooked it? Who served it? Fuss, fuss, fuss! But though I may have indifferent health, I'm well enough to give you all the help that's in my power. Murder in my own house - or at any rate in my own barn! Interesting building, that. Elizabethan. Local architect says not – but fellow doesn't know what he's talking about. Not a day later than 1580 - but that's not what we're talking about. What do you want to know? What's your present theory?"
"It's a little too early for theories, Mr. Crackenthorpe. We are still trying to find out who the woman was?"
"Foreigner, you say?"
"We think so."
"Enemy agent?"
"Unlikely, I should say."
Abstract Painting
Rembrandt Painting
Rembrandt Painting
Then I don't think we need worry you any more - for the present."
"Thank you."
She smiled briefly at them, got up, and left the room. Again he may have imagined it, but Craddock thought she moved rather quickly, as though a certain relief hurried her.
"Think she knows anything?" asked Bacon.
Inspector Craddock said ruefully:
"At a certain stage one is inclined to think everyone knows a little more than they are willing to tell you."
Rembrandt Painting
"They usually do, too," said Bacon out of the depth of his experience. "Only," he added, "it quite often isn't anything to do with the business in hand. It's some family peccadillo or some silly scrape that people are afraid is going to be dragged into the open."
"Yes, I know. Well, at least –"
But whatever Inspector Craddock had been about to say never got said, for the door was flung open and old Mr. Crackenthorpe shuffled in in a high state of indignation.
"A pretty pass, when Scotland Yard comes down and doesn't have the courtesy to talk to the head of the family first! Who's the master of this house, I'd like to know? Answer me that? Who's master here?"
Rembrandt Painting
Then I don't think we need worry you any more - for the present."
"Thank you."
She smiled briefly at them, got up, and left the room. Again he may have imagined it, but Craddock thought she moved rather quickly, as though a certain relief hurried her.
"Think she knows anything?" asked Bacon.
Inspector Craddock said ruefully:
"At a certain stage one is inclined to think everyone knows a little more than they are willing to tell you."
Rembrandt Painting
"They usually do, too," said Bacon out of the depth of his experience. "Only," he added, "it quite often isn't anything to do with the business in hand. It's some family peccadillo or some silly scrape that people are afraid is going to be dragged into the open."
"Yes, I know. Well, at least –"
But whatever Inspector Craddock had been about to say never got said, for the door was flung open and old Mr. Crackenthorpe shuffled in in a high state of indignation.
"A pretty pass, when Scotland Yard comes down and doesn't have the courtesy to talk to the head of the family first! Who's the master of this house, I'd like to know? Answer me that? Who's master here?"
Rembrandt Painting
The Singing Butler
The Singing Butler
"Did I? Yes, I believe I did. I don't really know why - except that one always tends to think foreigners are French until one finds out what nationality they really are. Most foreigners in this country are French, aren't they?"
"Oh, I really wouldn't say that was so, Miss Crackenthorpe. Not nowadays. We have so many nationalities over here, Italians, Germans, Austrians, all the Scandinavian countries –"
"Yes, I suppose you're right."
"You didn't have some special reason for thinking that this woman was likely to be French?"
She didn't hurry to deny it. She just thought a moment and then shook her head almost regretfully.
The Singing Butler
No," she said. "I really don't think so."
Her glance met his placidly, without flinching. Craddock looked towards Inspector Bacon. The latter leaned forward and presented a small enamel powder compact.
"Do you recognise this, Miss Crackenthorpe?"
She took it and examined it.
"No.It's certainly not mine."
"You've no idea to whom it belonged?"
"No."
The Singing Butler
"Did I? Yes, I believe I did. I don't really know why - except that one always tends to think foreigners are French until one finds out what nationality they really are. Most foreigners in this country are French, aren't they?"
"Oh, I really wouldn't say that was so, Miss Crackenthorpe. Not nowadays. We have so many nationalities over here, Italians, Germans, Austrians, all the Scandinavian countries –"
"Yes, I suppose you're right."
"You didn't have some special reason for thinking that this woman was likely to be French?"
She didn't hurry to deny it. She just thought a moment and then shook her head almost regretfully.
The Singing Butler
No," she said. "I really don't think so."
Her glance met his placidly, without flinching. Craddock looked towards Inspector Bacon. The latter leaned forward and presented a small enamel powder compact.
"Do you recognise this, Miss Crackenthorpe?"
She took it and examined it.
"No.It's certainly not mine."
"You've no idea to whom it belonged?"
"No."
The Singing Butler
Jack Vettriano Painting
Jack Vettriano Painting
"You've no idea of her name - of where she came from - anything at all?"
Craddock thought to himself: She wants to know – she's very anxious to know – who the woman is. Has she felt like that all along, I wonder? Bacon didn't give me that impression - and he's a shrewd man….
"We know nothing about her," he said. "That's why we hoped one of you could help us. Are you sure you can't? Even if you didn't recognise her - can you think of anyone she might be?"
Jack Vettriano Painting
He thought, but perhaps he imagined it, that there was a very slight pause before she answered.
"I've absolutely no idea," she said.
Imperceptibly, Inspector Craddock's manner changed. It was hardly noticeable except as a slight hardness in his voice.
"When Mr. Wimborne told you that the woman was a foreigner, why did you assume that she was French?"
Emma was not disconcerted. Her eyebrows rose slightly.
Jack Vettriano Painting
"You've no idea of her name - of where she came from - anything at all?"
Craddock thought to himself: She wants to know – she's very anxious to know – who the woman is. Has she felt like that all along, I wonder? Bacon didn't give me that impression - and he's a shrewd man….
"We know nothing about her," he said. "That's why we hoped one of you could help us. Are you sure you can't? Even if you didn't recognise her - can you think of anyone she might be?"
Jack Vettriano Painting
He thought, but perhaps he imagined it, that there was a very slight pause before she answered.
"I've absolutely no idea," she said.
Imperceptibly, Inspector Craddock's manner changed. It was hardly noticeable except as a slight hardness in his voice.
"When Mr. Wimborne told you that the woman was a foreigner, why did you assume that she was French?"
Emma was not disconcerted. Her eyebrows rose slightly.
Jack Vettriano Painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Women such as this were often underrated. Behind their quiet exterior they had force of character, they were to be reckoned with. Perhaps, Craddock thought, the clue to the mystery of the dead woman in the sarcophagus was hidden away in the recesses of Emma's mind.
Whilst these thoughts were passing through his head, Craddock was asking various unimportant questions.
"I don't suppose there is much that you haven't already told Inspector Bacon," he said. "So I needn't worry you with many questions."
Mary Cassatt painting
Please ask me anything you like."
"As Mr. Wimborne told you, we have reached the conclusion that the dead woman was not a native of these parts. That may be a relief to you - Mr. Wimborne seemed to think it would be – but it makes it really more difficult for us. She's less easily identified."
"But didn't she have anything - a handbag? Papers?"
Craddock shook his head.
"No handbag, nothing in her pockets."
Mary Cassatt painting
Women such as this were often underrated. Behind their quiet exterior they had force of character, they were to be reckoned with. Perhaps, Craddock thought, the clue to the mystery of the dead woman in the sarcophagus was hidden away in the recesses of Emma's mind.
Whilst these thoughts were passing through his head, Craddock was asking various unimportant questions.
"I don't suppose there is much that you haven't already told Inspector Bacon," he said. "So I needn't worry you with many questions."
Mary Cassatt painting
Please ask me anything you like."
"As Mr. Wimborne told you, we have reached the conclusion that the dead woman was not a native of these parts. That may be a relief to you - Mr. Wimborne seemed to think it would be – but it makes it really more difficult for us. She's less easily identified."
"But didn't she have anything - a handbag? Papers?"
Craddock shook his head.
"No handbag, nothing in her pockets."
Mary Cassatt painting
Edward Hopper Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
"Better get young Alexander on the job. He and James Stoddart-West are out hunting for clues in a big way. Bet you they turn up something."
Inspector Craddock said he hoped they would. Then he thanked Bryan Eastley and said he would like to speak to Miss Emma Crackenthorpe.
Edward Hopper Painting
Inspector Craddock looked with more attention at Emma Crackenthorpe than he had done privily. He was still wondering about the expression that he had surprised on her face before lunch.
A quiet woman. Not stupid. Not brilliant either. One of those comfortable pleasant woman whom men were inclined to take for granted, and who had the art of making a house into a home, giving it an atmosphere of restfulness and quiet harmony. Such, he thought, was Emma Crackenthorpe.Edward Hopper Painting
"Better get young Alexander on the job. He and James Stoddart-West are out hunting for clues in a big way. Bet you they turn up something."
Inspector Craddock said he hoped they would. Then he thanked Bryan Eastley and said he would like to speak to Miss Emma Crackenthorpe.
Edward Hopper Painting
Inspector Craddock looked with more attention at Emma Crackenthorpe than he had done privily. He was still wondering about the expression that he had surprised on her face before lunch.
A quiet woman. Not stupid. Not brilliant either. One of those comfortable pleasant woman whom men were inclined to take for granted, and who had the art of making a house into a home, giving it an atmosphere of restfulness and quiet harmony. Such, he thought, was Emma Crackenthorpe.Edward Hopper Painting
Van Gogh Sunflower
Van Gogh Sunflower
Really? Gay Paree?" He shook his head. "On the whole it seems to make it even more unlikely, doesn't it? Messing about in the barn, I mean. You haven't had any other sarcophagus murders, have you? One of these fellows with an urge - or a complex? Thinks he's Caligula or someone like that?"
Inspector Craddock did not even trouble to reject this speculation. Instead he asked in a casual manner:
"Nobody in the family got any French connections, or - or - relationships that you know of?"
Bryan said that the Crackenthorpe weren't a very gay lot.
Van Gogh Sunflower
"Harold's respectably married," he said. "Fish-faced woman, some impoverished peer's daughter. Don't think Alfred cares about women much - spends his life going in for shady deals which usually go wrong in the end. I dare say Cedric's got a few Spanish senoritas jumping through hoops for him in Iviza. Women rather fall for Cedric. Doesn't always shave and looks as though he never washes. Don't see why that should be attractive to women, but apparently it is - I say, I'm not being very helpful, am I?"
He grinned at them.Van Gogh Sunflower
Really? Gay Paree?" He shook his head. "On the whole it seems to make it even more unlikely, doesn't it? Messing about in the barn, I mean. You haven't had any other sarcophagus murders, have you? One of these fellows with an urge - or a complex? Thinks he's Caligula or someone like that?"
Inspector Craddock did not even trouble to reject this speculation. Instead he asked in a casual manner:
"Nobody in the family got any French connections, or - or - relationships that you know of?"
Bryan said that the Crackenthorpe weren't a very gay lot.
Van Gogh Sunflower
"Harold's respectably married," he said. "Fish-faced woman, some impoverished peer's daughter. Don't think Alfred cares about women much - spends his life going in for shady deals which usually go wrong in the end. I dare say Cedric's got a few Spanish senoritas jumping through hoops for him in Iviza. Women rather fall for Cedric. Doesn't always shave and looks as though he never washes. Don't see why that should be attractive to women, but apparently it is - I say, I'm not being very helpful, am I?"
He grinned at them.Van Gogh Sunflower
Van Gogh Painting
Van Gogh Painting
I don't suppose you want to see me," said Bryan Eastley apologetically, coming into the room and hesitating by the door. "I don't exactly belong to the family –"
"Let me see, you are Mr. Bryan Eastley, the husband of Miss Edith Crackenthorpe, who died five years ago?"
"That's right."
"Well, it's very kind of you, Mr. Eastley, especially if you know something that you think could assist us in some way?"
"But I don't. Wish I did. Whole thing seems so ruddy peculiar, doesn't it? Coming along and meeting some fellow in that draughty old barn in the middle of winter. Wouldn't be my cup of tea."
Van Gogh Painting
It is certainly very perplexing," Inspector Craddock agreed.
"Is it true that she was a foreigner? Word seems to have got round to that effect."
"Does that fact suggest anything to you?" the inspector looked at him sharply, but Bryan seemed amiably vacuous.
"No, it doesn't, as a matter of fact."
"Maybe she was French," said Inspector Bacon, with dark suspicion.
Bryan was roused to slight animation. A look of interest came into his blue eyes, and he tugged at his big fair moustache.
Van Gogh Painting
I don't suppose you want to see me," said Bryan Eastley apologetically, coming into the room and hesitating by the door. "I don't exactly belong to the family –"
"Let me see, you are Mr. Bryan Eastley, the husband of Miss Edith Crackenthorpe, who died five years ago?"
"That's right."
"Well, it's very kind of you, Mr. Eastley, especially if you know something that you think could assist us in some way?"
"But I don't. Wish I did. Whole thing seems so ruddy peculiar, doesn't it? Coming along and meeting some fellow in that draughty old barn in the middle of winter. Wouldn't be my cup of tea."
Van Gogh Painting
It is certainly very perplexing," Inspector Craddock agreed.
"Is it true that she was a foreigner? Word seems to have got round to that effect."
"Does that fact suggest anything to you?" the inspector looked at him sharply, but Bryan seemed amiably vacuous.
"No, it doesn't, as a matter of fact."
"Maybe she was French," said Inspector Bacon, with dark suspicion.
Bryan was roused to slight animation. A look of interest came into his blue eyes, and he tugged at his big fair moustache.
Van Gogh Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
"It's quite an idea, that the woman might once have had a job here. Not as a lady's maid; I doubt if my sister has ever had such a thing. I don't think anyone has nowadays. But, of course, there is a good deal of foreign domestic labour floating about. We've had Poles - and a temperamental German or two. As Emma definitely didn't recognise the woman, I think that washes your idea out, Inspector, Emma's got a very good memory for a face. No, if the woman came from London…. What gives you the idea she came from London, by the way?"
He slipped the question in quite casually, but his eyes were sharp and interested.
Henri Matisse Painting
Inspector Craddock smiled and shook his head.
Alfred looked at him keenly.
"Not telling, eh? Return ticket in her coat pocket, perhaps, is that it?"
"It could be, Mr. Crackenthorpe."
"Well, granting she came from London, perhaps the chap she came to meet had the idea that the Long Barn would be a nice place to do a quiet murder. He knows the set up here, evidently. I should go looking for him if I were you, Inspector."
"We are," said Inspector Craddock, and made the two little words sound quiet and confident.
He thanked Alfred and dismissed him.
Henri Matisse Painting
"It's quite an idea, that the woman might once have had a job here. Not as a lady's maid; I doubt if my sister has ever had such a thing. I don't think anyone has nowadays. But, of course, there is a good deal of foreign domestic labour floating about. We've had Poles - and a temperamental German or two. As Emma definitely didn't recognise the woman, I think that washes your idea out, Inspector, Emma's got a very good memory for a face. No, if the woman came from London…. What gives you the idea she came from London, by the way?"
He slipped the question in quite casually, but his eyes were sharp and interested.
Henri Matisse Painting
Inspector Craddock smiled and shook his head.
Alfred looked at him keenly.
"Not telling, eh? Return ticket in her coat pocket, perhaps, is that it?"
"It could be, Mr. Crackenthorpe."
"Well, granting she came from London, perhaps the chap she came to meet had the idea that the Long Barn would be a nice place to do a quiet murder. He knows the set up here, evidently. I should go looking for him if I were you, Inspector."
"We are," said Inspector Craddock, and made the two little words sound quiet and confident.
He thanked Alfred and dismissed him.
Henri Matisse Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Craddock looked at Alfred Crackenthorpe with a faint feeling of recognition. Surely he had seen this particular member of the family somewhere before? Or had it been his picture in the paper? There was something discreditable attached to the memory. He asked Alfred his occupation and Alfred's answer was vague.
"I'm in insurance at the moment. Until recently I've been interested in putting a new type of talking machine on the market. Quite revolutionary. I did very well out of that as a matter of fact."
Marc Chagall Painting
Inspector Craddock looked appreciative – and no one could have had the least idea that he was noticing the superficially smart appearance of Alfred's suit and gauging correctly the low price it had cost. Cedric's clothes had been disreputable, almost threadbare, but they had been originally of good cut and excellent material. Here there was a cheap smartness that told its own tale. Craddock passed pleasantly on to his routine questions. Alfred seemed interested – even slightly amused.
Marc Chagall Painting
Craddock looked at Alfred Crackenthorpe with a faint feeling of recognition. Surely he had seen this particular member of the family somewhere before? Or had it been his picture in the paper? There was something discreditable attached to the memory. He asked Alfred his occupation and Alfred's answer was vague.
"I'm in insurance at the moment. Until recently I've been interested in putting a new type of talking machine on the market. Quite revolutionary. I did very well out of that as a matter of fact."
Marc Chagall Painting
Inspector Craddock looked appreciative – and no one could have had the least idea that he was noticing the superficially smart appearance of Alfred's suit and gauging correctly the low price it had cost. Cedric's clothes had been disreputable, almost threadbare, but they had been originally of good cut and excellent material. Here there was a cheap smartness that told its own tale. Craddock passed pleasantly on to his routine questions. Alfred seemed interested – even slightly amused.
Marc Chagall Painting
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus
And now," said Craddock, "we'll see what our correct City gentleman has to say about it all."
Harold Crackenthorpe, thin-lipped, had very little to say about it. It was most distasteful - a very unfortunate incident. The newspapers, he was afraid…. Reporters, he understood, had already been asking for interviews…. All that sort of thing…. Most regrettable….
Harold's staccato unfinished sentences ended. He leaned back in his chair with the expression of a man confronted with a very bad smell.
The Birth of Venus
The inspector's probing produced no result. No, he had no idea who the woman was or could be. He had been unable to come down until Christmas Eve - but had stayed on over the following week-end.
"That's that, then," said Inspector Craddock, without pressing his questions further. He had already made up his mind that Harold Crackenthorpe was not going to be helpful.
He passed on to Alfred, who came into the room with a nonchalance that seemed just a trifle overdone.
The Birth of Venus
And now," said Craddock, "we'll see what our correct City gentleman has to say about it all."
Harold Crackenthorpe, thin-lipped, had very little to say about it. It was most distasteful - a very unfortunate incident. The newspapers, he was afraid…. Reporters, he understood, had already been asking for interviews…. All that sort of thing…. Most regrettable….
Harold's staccato unfinished sentences ended. He leaned back in his chair with the expression of a man confronted with a very bad smell.
The Birth of Venus
The inspector's probing produced no result. No, he had no idea who the woman was or could be. He had been unable to come down until Christmas Eve - but had stayed on over the following week-end.
"That's that, then," said Inspector Craddock, without pressing his questions further. He had already made up his mind that Harold Crackenthorpe was not going to be helpful.
He passed on to Alfred, who came into the room with a nonchalance that seemed just a trifle overdone.
The Birth of Venus
William Bouguereau paintings
William Bouguereau paintings
Cocky enough for anything," he said. "I don't care for the type, myself. A loose-living lot, these artists, and very likely to be mixed up with a disreputable class of woman."Craddock smiled.
"I don't like the way he dresses, either," went on Bacon. "No respect - going to an inquest like that. Dirtiest pair of trousers I've seen in a long while. And did you see his tie? Looked as though it was made of coloured string. If you ask me, he's the kind that would easily strangle a woman and make no bones about it."
"Well, he didn't strangle this one - if he didn't leave Majorca until the 21st. And that's a thing we can verify easily enough."
Bacon threw him a sharp glance.
"I notice that you're not tipping your hand yet about the actual date of the crime."
"No, we'll keep that dark for the present. I always like to have something up my sleeve in the early stages."
Bacon nodded in full agreement.
"Spring it on 'em when the time comes," he said. "That's the best plan."
Bouguereau William
Gustav Klimt Painting
Gustav Klimt Painting
Cedric reflected.
"Let me see…. I flew. Got here on the Saturday before Christmas - that would be the 21st."
"You flew straight from Majorca?"
"Yes. Left at five in the morning and got here midday."
"And you left?"
"I flew back on the following Friday, the 27th."
"Thank you."
Cedric grinned.
Gustav Klimt Painting
Leaves me well within the limit, unfortunately. But really, Inspector, strangling young women is not my favourite form of Christmas fun."
"I hope not, Mr. Crackenthorpe."
Inspector Bacon merely looked disapproving.
"There would be a remarkable absence of peace and good will about such an action, don't you agree?"
Cedric addressed this question to Inspector Bacon who merely grunted. Inspector Craddock said politely:
"Well, thank you, Mr. Crackenthorpe. That will be all."
"And what do you think of him?" Craddock asked as Cedric shut the door behind him.
Bacon grunted again.
Gustav Klimt Painting
Cedric reflected.
"Let me see…. I flew. Got here on the Saturday before Christmas - that would be the 21st."
"You flew straight from Majorca?"
"Yes. Left at five in the morning and got here midday."
"And you left?"
"I flew back on the following Friday, the 27th."
"Thank you."
Cedric grinned.
Gustav Klimt Painting
Leaves me well within the limit, unfortunately. But really, Inspector, strangling young women is not my favourite form of Christmas fun."
"I hope not, Mr. Crackenthorpe."
Inspector Bacon merely looked disapproving.
"There would be a remarkable absence of peace and good will about such an action, don't you agree?"
Cedric addressed this question to Inspector Bacon who merely grunted. Inspector Craddock said politely:
"Well, thank you, Mr. Crackenthorpe. That will be all."
"And what do you think of him?" Craddock asked as Cedric shut the door behind him.
Bacon grunted again.
Gustav Klimt Painting
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Gustav Klimt The Kiss Cedric shook his head.
"You're barking up the wrong tree. I've absolutely no idea. You're suggesting, I suppose, that she may have come to the Long Barn to keep an assignation with one of us? But we none of us live here. The only people in the house were a woman and an old man. You don't seriously believe that she came here to keep a date with my revered Pop?"
"Our point is - Inspector Bacon agrees with me - that the woman may once have had some association with this house. It may have been a considerable number of years ago. Cast your mind back, Mr. Crackenthorpe."
Cedric thought a moment or two, then shook his head.
"We've had foreign help from time to time, like most people, but I can't think of any likely possibility. Better ask the others - they’d know more than I would."
"We shall do that, of course."
Craddock leaned back in his chair and went on:
"As you have heard at the inquest, the medical evidence cannot fix the time of death very accurately. Longer than two weeks, less than four - which brings it somewhere around Christmas- time. You have told me you came home for Christmas. When did you arrive in England and when did you leave?"
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
"You're barking up the wrong tree. I've absolutely no idea. You're suggesting, I suppose, that she may have come to the Long Barn to keep an assignation with one of us? But we none of us live here. The only people in the house were a woman and an old man. You don't seriously believe that she came here to keep a date with my revered Pop?"
"Our point is - Inspector Bacon agrees with me - that the woman may once have had some association with this house. It may have been a considerable number of years ago. Cast your mind back, Mr. Crackenthorpe."
Cedric thought a moment or two, then shook his head.
| William Bouguereau the first kiss Painting |
| gustav klimt the kiss painting |
"We've had foreign help from time to time, like most people, but I can't think of any likely possibility. Better ask the others - they’d know more than I would."
"We shall do that, of course."
Craddock leaned back in his chair and went on:
"As you have heard at the inquest, the medical evidence cannot fix the time of death very accurately. Longer than two weeks, less than four - which brings it somewhere around Christmas- time. You have told me you came home for Christmas. When did you arrive in England and when did you leave?"
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Modern Art Painting
Modern Art Painting
"I see. It appealed to your sporting instincts and also to your family feelings. I've no doubt your sister will be very grateful to you - although her two other brothers have also come to be with her."
"But not to cheer and comfort," Cedric told him. "Harold is terrifically put out. It's not at all the thing for a City magnate to be mixed up with the murder of a questionable female."
Craddock's eyebrows rose gently.
Modern Art Painting
Was she - a questionable female?"
"Well, you're the authority on that point. Going by the facts, it seemed to me likely."
"I thought perhaps you might have been able to make a guess at who she was?"
"Come now, Inspector, you already know – or your colleagues will tell you, that I haven't been able to identify her."
"I said a guess, Mr. Crackenthorpe. You might never have seen the woman before - but you might have been able to make a guess at who she was - or who she might have been?"
Modern Art Painting
"I see. It appealed to your sporting instincts and also to your family feelings. I've no doubt your sister will be very grateful to you - although her two other brothers have also come to be with her."
"But not to cheer and comfort," Cedric told him. "Harold is terrifically put out. It's not at all the thing for a City magnate to be mixed up with the murder of a questionable female."
Craddock's eyebrows rose gently.
Modern Art Painting
Was she - a questionable female?"
"Well, you're the authority on that point. Going by the facts, it seemed to me likely."
"I thought perhaps you might have been able to make a guess at who she was?"
"Come now, Inspector, you already know – or your colleagues will tell you, that I haven't been able to identify her."
"I said a guess, Mr. Crackenthorpe. You might never have seen the woman before - but you might have been able to make a guess at who she was - or who she might have been?"
Modern Art Painting
Art Painting
Art Painting
Inspector Craddock was very pleasant and friendly.
"Sit down, Mr. Crackenthorpe. I understand you have just come back from the Balearics? You live out there?"
"Have done for the last six years. In Iviza. Suits me better than this dreary country."
"You get a good deal more sunshine than we do, I expect," said Inspector Craddock agreeably. "You were home not so very long ago, I understand – for Christmas, to be exact. What made it necessary for you to come back again so soon."
Cedric grinned.
Art Painting
Got a wire from Emma – my sister. We've never had a murder on the premises before. Didn't want to miss anything – so along I came."
"You are interested in criminology?"
"Oh, we needn't put it such highbrow terms! I just like murders - Whodunnits, and all that! With a Whodunnit parked right on the family doorsteps, it seemed the chance of a lifetime. Besides, I thought poor old Em might need a spot of help – managing the old man and the police and all the rest of it."
Art Painting
Inspector Craddock was very pleasant and friendly.
"Sit down, Mr. Crackenthorpe. I understand you have just come back from the Balearics? You live out there?"
"Have done for the last six years. In Iviza. Suits me better than this dreary country."
"You get a good deal more sunshine than we do, I expect," said Inspector Craddock agreeably. "You were home not so very long ago, I understand – for Christmas, to be exact. What made it necessary for you to come back again so soon."
Cedric grinned.
Art Painting
Got a wire from Emma – my sister. We've never had a murder on the premises before. Didn't want to miss anything – so along I came."
"You are interested in criminology?"
"Oh, we needn't put it such highbrow terms! I just like murders - Whodunnits, and all that! With a Whodunnit parked right on the family doorsteps, it seemed the chance of a lifetime. Besides, I thought poor old Em might need a spot of help – managing the old man and the police and all the rest of it."
Art Painting
Famous painting
Famous painting
The only people who really did justice to Lucy's excellent lunch were the two boys and Cedric Crackenthorpe who appeared completed unaffected by the circumstances which had caused him to return to England. He seemed, indeed, to regard the whole thing as a rather good joke of a macabre nature.
Famous painting
This attitude, Lucy noted, was most unpalatable to his brother Harold. Harold seemed to take the murder as a kind of personal insult to the Crackenthorpe family and so great was his sense of outrage that he ate hardly any lunch. Emma looked worried and unhappy and also ate very little. Alfred seemed lost in a train of thought of his own and spoke very little. He was quite a good-looking man with a thin dark face and eyes set rather too close together.
After lunch the police officers returned and politely asked if they could have a few words with Mr. Cedric Crackenthorpe.
Famous painting
The only people who really did justice to Lucy's excellent lunch were the two boys and Cedric Crackenthorpe who appeared completed unaffected by the circumstances which had caused him to return to England. He seemed, indeed, to regard the whole thing as a rather good joke of a macabre nature.
Famous painting
This attitude, Lucy noted, was most unpalatable to his brother Harold. Harold seemed to take the murder as a kind of personal insult to the Crackenthorpe family and so great was his sense of outrage that he ate hardly any lunch. Emma looked worried and unhappy and also ate very little. Alfred seemed lost in a train of thought of his own and spoke very little. He was quite a good-looking man with a thin dark face and eyes set rather too close together.
After lunch the police officers returned and politely asked if they could have a few words with Mr. Cedric Crackenthorpe.
Famous painting
Famous artist painting
Famous artist painting
. Wimborne took Emma's hand in his.
"There's nothing to worry about, my dear," he said. "This is Detective-Inspector Craddock from New Scotland Yard who has come down to take charge of the case. He is coming back at two-fifteen to ask you for any facts that may assist him in his inquiry. But, as I say, you have nothing to worry about." He looked towards Craddock. "I may repeat to Miss Crackenthorpe what you have told me?"
"Certainly, sir."
Famous artist painting
Inspector Craddock has just told me that this almost certainly was not a local crime. The murdered woman is thought to have come from London and was probably a foreigner."
Emma Crackenthorpe said sharply:
"A foreigner. Was she French?"
Mr. Wimborne had clearly meant his statement to be consoling. He looked slightly taken aback. Dermot Craddock's glance went quickly from him to Emma's face.
He wondered why she had leaped to the conclusion that the murdered woman was French, and why that thought disturbed her so much?
Famous artist painting
. Wimborne took Emma's hand in his.
"There's nothing to worry about, my dear," he said. "This is Detective-Inspector Craddock from New Scotland Yard who has come down to take charge of the case. He is coming back at two-fifteen to ask you for any facts that may assist him in his inquiry. But, as I say, you have nothing to worry about." He looked towards Craddock. "I may repeat to Miss Crackenthorpe what you have told me?"
"Certainly, sir."
Famous artist painting
Inspector Craddock has just told me that this almost certainly was not a local crime. The murdered woman is thought to have come from London and was probably a foreigner."
Emma Crackenthorpe said sharply:
"A foreigner. Was she French?"
Mr. Wimborne had clearly meant his statement to be consoling. He looked slightly taken aback. Dermot Craddock's glance went quickly from him to Emma's face.
He wondered why she had leaped to the conclusion that the murdered woman was French, and why that thought disturbed her so much?
Famous artist painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
"I don't suppose Aunt Emma would mind…. She's very hospitable. But I suppose Uncle Harold wouldn't like it. He's being very sticky over this murder." Alexander went out through the door with the tray adding a little additional information over his shoulder. "Mr. Wimborne's in the library with the Scotland Yard man now. But he isn't staying to lunch. He said he had to get back to London. Come on, Stodders. Oh, he's gone to do the gong."
At that moment the gong took charge. Stoddart-West was an artist. He gave it everything he had, and all further conversation was inhibited.
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Bryan carried in the joint, Lucy followed with the vegetables - returned to the kitchen to get the two brimming sauce-boats of gravy.
Mr. Wimborne was standing in the hall putting on his gloves - as Emma came quickly down the stairs.
"Are you really sure you won't stop for lunch, Mr. Wimborne? It's all ready."
"No.I've an important appointment in London. There is a restaurant car on the train."
"It was very good of you to come down," said Emma gratefully.
The two police officers emerged from the library.
Decorative painting
"I don't suppose Aunt Emma would mind…. She's very hospitable. But I suppose Uncle Harold wouldn't like it. He's being very sticky over this murder." Alexander went out through the door with the tray adding a little additional information over his shoulder. "Mr. Wimborne's in the library with the Scotland Yard man now. But he isn't staying to lunch. He said he had to get back to London. Come on, Stodders. Oh, he's gone to do the gong."
At that moment the gong took charge. Stoddart-West was an artist. He gave it everything he had, and all further conversation was inhibited.
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Bryan carried in the joint, Lucy followed with the vegetables - returned to the kitchen to get the two brimming sauce-boats of gravy.
Mr. Wimborne was standing in the hall putting on his gloves - as Emma came quickly down the stairs.
"Are you really sure you won't stop for lunch, Mr. Wimborne? It's all ready."
"No.I've an important appointment in London. There is a restaurant car on the train."
"It was very good of you to come down," said Emma gratefully.
The two police officers emerged from the library.
Decorative painting
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Abstract Painting The Three Ages of Woman
Abstract Painting
That night she wrote and posted a letter addressed to Miss Florence Hill, 4 Madison Road, Brackhampton…. On the following morning, going to the County library, she studies a Brackhampton directory and gazetteer, and a County history.
Nothing so far had contradicted the very faint and sketchy idea that had come to her. What she imagined was possible. She would go no further than that.
The Three Ages of Woman
But the next step involved action – a good deal of action - the kind of actin for which she, herself, was physically unfit. If her theory were to be definitely proved or disproved, she must at this point have help from some other person. The question was – who? Miss Marple reviewed various names and possibilities rejecting them all with a vexed shake of the head. The intelligent people on whose intelligence she could rely were all far too busy. Not only had they all got jobs of varying importance, their leisure hours were usually apportioned long beforehand. The unintelligent who had time on their hands were simply, Miss Marple decided, no good.
Abstract Painting
That night she wrote and posted a letter addressed to Miss Florence Hill, 4 Madison Road, Brackhampton…. On the following morning, going to the County library, she studies a Brackhampton directory and gazetteer, and a County history.
Nothing so far had contradicted the very faint and sketchy idea that had come to her. What she imagined was possible. She would go no further than that.
The Three Ages of Woman
But the next step involved action – a good deal of action - the kind of actin for which she, herself, was physically unfit. If her theory were to be definitely proved or disproved, she must at this point have help from some other person. The question was – who? Miss Marple reviewed various names and possibilities rejecting them all with a vexed shake of the head. The intelligent people on whose intelligence she could rely were all far too busy. Not only had they all got jobs of varying importance, their leisure hours were usually apportioned long beforehand. The unintelligent who had time on their hands were simply, Miss Marple decided, no good.
Abstract Painting
Rembrandt Painting
Rembrandt Painting
On the next day she went up by the early morning train, purchased four linen pillow-cases (tut-tutting at the price!) so as to combine investigation with the provision of household necessities, and returned by a train leaving Paddington at twelve-fifteen. Again she was alone in a first-class carriage. "This taxation," thought Miss Marple, “that's what it is. No on can afford to travel first class except business men in the rush hours. I suppose because they can charge it to expenses."
About a quarter
Rembrandt Painting
quarter of an hour before the train was due at Brackhampton, Miss Marple got out the map with which Leonard had supplied her and began to observe the country-side. She had studied the map very carefully beforehand, and after noting the name of a station they passed through, she was soon able to identify where she was just as the train began to slacken for a curve. It was a very considerable curve indeed. Miss Marple, her nose glued to the window, studies the ground beneath her (the train was running on a fairly high embankment) with close attention. She divided her attention between the country outside and her map until the train finally ran into Brackhampton.
Rembrandt Painting
On the next day she went up by the early morning train, purchased four linen pillow-cases (tut-tutting at the price!) so as to combine investigation with the provision of household necessities, and returned by a train leaving Paddington at twelve-fifteen. Again she was alone in a first-class carriage. "This taxation," thought Miss Marple, “that's what it is. No on can afford to travel first class except business men in the rush hours. I suppose because they can charge it to expenses."
About a quarter
Rembrandt Painting
quarter of an hour before the train was due at Brackhampton, Miss Marple got out the map with which Leonard had supplied her and began to observe the country-side. She had studied the map very carefully beforehand, and after noting the name of a station they passed through, she was soon able to identify where she was just as the train began to slacken for a curve. It was a very considerable curve indeed. Miss Marple, her nose glued to the window, studies the ground beneath her (the train was running on a fairly high embankment) with close attention. She divided her attention between the country outside and her map until the train finally ran into Brackhampton.
Rembrandt Painting
The Singing Butler
The Singing Butler
but by the 4.33 as far as Brackhampton. The journey was uneventful, but she registered certain details. The train was not crowded – 4.33 was before the evening rush hour. Of the first-class carriages only one had an occupant - a very old gentleman reading the new statesman. Miss Marple travelled in an empty compartment and at the two stops, Haling Broadway and Barwell Heath, leaned out of the window to observe passengers entering and leaving the train. A small number of third-class passengers got in at Haling Broadway. At Barwell Heath several third-class passengers got out. Nobody entered or left a first-class carriage except the old gentleman carrying his new statesman.
The Singing Butler
with her back to the window over which she had drawn down the blind.
Yes, she decided, the impetus of the sudden curving of the line and the slackening of speed did throw one off one's balance back against the window and the blind might, in consequence, very easily fly up. She peered out into the night. It was lighter than it had been when Mrs. McGillicuddy had made the same journey - only just dark, but there was little to see. For observation she must make a daylight journey.The Singing Butler
but by the 4.33 as far as Brackhampton. The journey was uneventful, but she registered certain details. The train was not crowded – 4.33 was before the evening rush hour. Of the first-class carriages only one had an occupant - a very old gentleman reading the new statesman. Miss Marple travelled in an empty compartment and at the two stops, Haling Broadway and Barwell Heath, leaned out of the window to observe passengers entering and leaving the train. A small number of third-class passengers got in at Haling Broadway. At Barwell Heath several third-class passengers got out. Nobody entered or left a first-class carriage except the old gentleman carrying his new statesman.
The Singing Butler
with her back to the window over which she had drawn down the blind.
Yes, she decided, the impetus of the sudden curving of the line and the slackening of speed did throw one off one's balance back against the window and the blind might, in consequence, very easily fly up. She peered out into the night. It was lighter than it had been when Mrs. McGillicuddy had made the same journey - only just dark, but there was little to see. For observation she must make a daylight journey.The Singing Butler
Jack Vettriano Painting
Jack Vettriano Painting
In all this do I smell some village scandal of a fruity character? Did you, returning from a shopping spree in town by the 4.50, observe in a passing train the Mayor's wife being embraced by the Sanitary Inspector? But why does it matter which train it was? A week-end at Porthcawl perhaps? Thankyou for the pullover. Just what I wanted. How's the garden? Not very active this time of the year, I should imagine.
Yours ever,
David"
Jack Vettriano Painting
Miss Marple smiled a little, then considered the information thus presented to her. Mrs. McGillicuddy had said definitely that the carriage had not been a corridor one. Therefore - not the Swansea express. The 4.33 was indicated.
Also some more travelling seemed unavoidable. Miss Marple sighed, but made her plans.
She went up to London as before on the 12.15, but this time returned not by the 4.50
Jack Vettriano Painting
In all this do I smell some village scandal of a fruity character? Did you, returning from a shopping spree in town by the 4.50, observe in a passing train the Mayor's wife being embraced by the Sanitary Inspector? But why does it matter which train it was? A week-end at Porthcawl perhaps? Thankyou for the pullover. Just what I wanted. How's the garden? Not very active this time of the year, I should imagine.
Yours ever,
David"
Jack Vettriano Painting
Miss Marple smiled a little, then considered the information thus presented to her. Mrs. McGillicuddy had said definitely that the carriage had not been a corridor one. Therefore - not the Swansea express. The 4.33 was indicated.
Also some more travelling seemed unavoidable. Miss Marple sighed, but made her plans.
She went up to London as before on the 12.15, but this time returned not by the 4.50
Jack Vettriano Painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Maps," said his mother, Griselda, who still, although she had a grown-up son, looked strangely young and blooming to be inhabiting the shabby old vicarage. "What does she want this map? I mean, what does she want them for?"
"I don't know," said young Leonard, "I don't think she said exactly."
"I wonder now…” said Griselda. "It seems very fishy to me…. At her age the old pet ought to give up that sort of thing."
Leonard asked what sort of thing, and Griselda said elusively:
"Oh, poking her nose into things. Why maps, I wonder?"
In due course Miss Marple received a letter from her great-nephew David West. It ran affectionately
Mary Cassatt painting
Dear Aunt Jane, - Now what are you up to? I've got the information you wanted. There are only two trains that can possibly apply - the 4.33 and the 5 o’clock. The former is a slow train and stops at Haling Broadway, Barwell Heath, Brackhampton and then stations to Market Basing. The 5 o’clock is the Welsh express for Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. The former might be overtaken somewhere by the 4.50, although it is due in Brackhampton five minutes earlier and the latter passes the 4.50 just before Brackhampton.
Mary Cassatt painting
Maps," said his mother, Griselda, who still, although she had a grown-up son, looked strangely young and blooming to be inhabiting the shabby old vicarage. "What does she want this map? I mean, what does she want them for?"
"I don't know," said young Leonard, "I don't think she said exactly."
"I wonder now…” said Griselda. "It seems very fishy to me…. At her age the old pet ought to give up that sort of thing."
Leonard asked what sort of thing, and Griselda said elusively:
"Oh, poking her nose into things. Why maps, I wonder?"
In due course Miss Marple received a letter from her great-nephew David West. It ran affectionately
Mary Cassatt painting
Dear Aunt Jane, - Now what are you up to? I've got the information you wanted. There are only two trains that can possibly apply - the 4.33 and the 5 o’clock. The former is a slow train and stops at Haling Broadway, Barwell Heath, Brackhampton and then stations to Market Basing. The 5 o’clock is the Welsh express for Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. The former might be overtaken somewhere by the 4.50, although it is due in Brackhampton five minutes earlier and the latter passes the 4.50 just before Brackhampton.
Mary Cassatt painting
Edward Hopper Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
And at the same time another valuable asset flashed through her mind.
"Of course. My faithful Florence!"
II
Miss Marple set about her plan of campaign methodically and making due allowance for the Christmas season which was a definitely retarding factor.
She wrote to her great-nephew, David West, combining Christmas wishes with an urgent request for information.
Fortunately she was invited, as on previous years, to the vicarage for Christmas
Edward Hopper Painting
Fortunately she was invited, as on previous years, to the vicarage for Christmas dinner, and here she was able to tackle young Leonard, home for the Christmas season, about maps.
Maps of all kinds were Leonard's passion. The reason for the old lady's inquiry about a large-scale map of a particular area did not rouse his curiosity. He discoursed on maps generally with fluency, and wrote down for her exactly what would suit her purpose best. In fact, he did better. He actually found that he had such a map amongst his collection and he lent it to her, Miss Marple promising to take great care of it and return it in due course.
Edward Hopper Painting
And at the same time another valuable asset flashed through her mind.
"Of course. My faithful Florence!"
II
Miss Marple set about her plan of campaign methodically and making due allowance for the Christmas season which was a definitely retarding factor.
She wrote to her great-nephew, David West, combining Christmas wishes with an urgent request for information.
Fortunately she was invited, as on previous years, to the vicarage for Christmas
Edward Hopper Painting
Fortunately she was invited, as on previous years, to the vicarage for Christmas dinner, and here she was able to tackle young Leonard, home for the Christmas season, about maps.
Maps of all kinds were Leonard's passion. The reason for the old lady's inquiry about a large-scale map of a particular area did not rouse his curiosity. He discoursed on maps generally with fluency, and wrote down for her exactly what would suit her purpose best. In fact, he did better. He actually found that he had such a map amongst his collection and he lent it to her, Miss Marple promising to take great care of it and return it in due course.
Edward Hopper Painting
Van Gogh Sunflower
Van Gogh Sunflower
It is not," thought Miss Marple, "as though I could go here, there and everywhere, making inquiries and finding out things."
Yes, that was the chief objection, her own age and weakness. Although, for her age, her health was good, yet she was old. And if Dr. Haydock had strictly forbidden her to do practical gardening he would hardly approve of her starting out to track down a murderer. For that, in effect, was what she was planning to do - and it was there that her loophole lay. For if heretofore murder had, so to speak, been forced upon her, in this case it would be that she herself set out deliberately to seek it. And she was not sure that she wanted to do so…. She was old - old and tired. She felt at this moment, at the end of a tiring day, a great reluctance to enter upon any project at all. She wanted nothing at all but to reach home and sit by the fire with a nice tray of supper, and go to bed, and potter about the next day just snipping off a few things in the garden, tidying up a very mild way, without stooping, without exerting herself….
Van Gogh Sunflower
I'm too old for any more adventures," said Miss Marple to herself, watching absently out of her window the curving line of an embankment….
A curve….
Very faintly something stirred in her mind…. Just after the ticket collector had clipped their tickets….
It suggested an idea. Only an idea. An entirely different idea….
A little pink flush came into Miss Marple's face. Suddenly she did not feel tired at all!
"I'll write to David to-morrow morning," she said to herself.
Van Gogh Sunflower
It is not," thought Miss Marple, "as though I could go here, there and everywhere, making inquiries and finding out things."
Yes, that was the chief objection, her own age and weakness. Although, for her age, her health was good, yet she was old. And if Dr. Haydock had strictly forbidden her to do practical gardening he would hardly approve of her starting out to track down a murderer. For that, in effect, was what she was planning to do - and it was there that her loophole lay. For if heretofore murder had, so to speak, been forced upon her, in this case it would be that she herself set out deliberately to seek it. And she was not sure that she wanted to do so…. She was old - old and tired. She felt at this moment, at the end of a tiring day, a great reluctance to enter upon any project at all. She wanted nothing at all but to reach home and sit by the fire with a nice tray of supper, and go to bed, and potter about the next day just snipping off a few things in the garden, tidying up a very mild way, without stooping, without exerting herself….
Van Gogh Sunflower
I'm too old for any more adventures," said Miss Marple to herself, watching absently out of her window the curving line of an embankment….
A curve….
Very faintly something stirred in her mind…. Just after the ticket collector had clipped their tickets….
It suggested an idea. Only an idea. An entirely different idea….
A little pink flush came into Miss Marple's face. Suddenly she did not feel tired at all!
"I'll write to David to-morrow morning," she said to herself.
Van Gogh Sunflower
Van Gogh Painting
Van Gogh Painting
Miss Marple did not lean back as the train gathered speed. Instead she sat upright and devoted herself seriously to thought. Though in speech Miss Marple was woolly and diffuse, in mind she was clear and sharp. She had a problem to solve, the problem of her own future conduct; and, perhaps strangely, it presented itself to her as it had to Mrs. McGillicuddy, as a question of duty.
Mrs. McGillicuddy had said that they had both done all that they could do. It was true of Mrs. McGillicuddy but about herself Miss Marple did not feel so sure.
Van Gogh Painting
was a question, sometimes, of using one's special gifts…. But perhaps that was conceited…. After all, what could she do? Her friend's words came back to her, "You're not so young as you were…."
Dispassionately, like a general planning a campaign, or an accountant assessing a business, Miss Marple weighed up and set down in her mind the facts for and against further enterprise. On the credit side were the following:
My long experience of life and human nature.
Sir Henry Clithering and his godson (now at Scotland Yard, I believe), who was so very nice in the Little Paddocks case.
My nephew Raymond's second boy, David, who is, I am almost sure, in British Railways.
Griselda's boy Leonard who is so very knowledgeable about maps.
Miss Marple reviewed these assets and approved them. They were all very necessary, to reinforce the weaknesses on the debit side – in particular her own bodily weakness.
Van Gogh Painting
Miss Marple did not lean back as the train gathered speed. Instead she sat upright and devoted herself seriously to thought. Though in speech Miss Marple was woolly and diffuse, in mind she was clear and sharp. She had a problem to solve, the problem of her own future conduct; and, perhaps strangely, it presented itself to her as it had to Mrs. McGillicuddy, as a question of duty.
Mrs. McGillicuddy had said that they had both done all that they could do. It was true of Mrs. McGillicuddy but about herself Miss Marple did not feel so sure.
Van Gogh Painting
was a question, sometimes, of using one's special gifts…. But perhaps that was conceited…. After all, what could she do? Her friend's words came back to her, "You're not so young as you were…."
Dispassionately, like a general planning a campaign, or an accountant assessing a business, Miss Marple weighed up and set down in her mind the facts for and against further enterprise. On the credit side were the following:
My long experience of life and human nature.
Sir Henry Clithering and his godson (now at Scotland Yard, I believe), who was so very nice in the Little Paddocks case.
My nephew Raymond's second boy, David, who is, I am almost sure, in British Railways.
Griselda's boy Leonard who is so very knowledgeable about maps.
Miss Marple reviewed these assets and approved them. They were all very necessary, to reinforce the weaknesses on the debit side – in particular her own bodily weakness.
Van Gogh Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
I know," said Miss Marple.
"And don't let's worry ourselves any more over all this. We've done what we could."
Miss Marple nodded, and said:
"Don't stand about in the cold, Elspeth. Or you'll be the one to catch a chill. Go and get yourself a good hot cup of tea in the Refreshment Room. You've got time, twelve minutes before your train back to town."
"I think perhaps I will. Good-bye, Jane."
"Good-bye, Elspeth. A happy Christmas to you. I hope you find Margaret well. Enjoy yourself in Ceylon, and give my love to dear Roderick – if he remembers me at all, which I doubt."
Henri Matisse Painting
"Of course he remembers you – very well. You helped him in some way when he was at school – something to do with money that was disappearing from a locker – he's never forgotten it."
"Oh, that!" said Miss Marple.
Mrs. McGillicuddy turned away, a whistle blew, the train began to move. Miss Marple watched the sturdy thickset body of her friend recede. Elspeth could go to Ceylon with a clear conscience - she had done her duty and was freed from further obligation.Henri Matisse Painting
I know," said Miss Marple.
"And don't let's worry ourselves any more over all this. We've done what we could."
Miss Marple nodded, and said:
"Don't stand about in the cold, Elspeth. Or you'll be the one to catch a chill. Go and get yourself a good hot cup of tea in the Refreshment Room. You've got time, twelve minutes before your train back to town."
"I think perhaps I will. Good-bye, Jane."
"Good-bye, Elspeth. A happy Christmas to you. I hope you find Margaret well. Enjoy yourself in Ceylon, and give my love to dear Roderick – if he remembers me at all, which I doubt."
Henri Matisse Painting
"Of course he remembers you – very well. You helped him in some way when he was at school – something to do with money that was disappearing from a locker – he's never forgotten it."
"Oh, that!" said Miss Marple.
Mrs. McGillicuddy turned away, a whistle blew, the train began to move. Miss Marple watched the sturdy thickset body of her friend recede. Elspeth could go to Ceylon with a clear conscience - she had done her duty and was freed from further obligation.Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
I know," said Miss Marple.
"And don't let's worry ourselves any more over all this. We've done what we could."
Miss Marple nodded, and said:
"Don't stand about in the cold, Elspeth. Or you'll be the one to catch a chill. Go and get yourself a good hot cup of tea in the Refreshment Room. You've got time, twelve minutes before your train back to town."
"I think perhaps I will. Good-bye, Jane."
"Good-bye, Elspeth. A happy Christmas to you. I hope you find Margaret well. Enjoy yourself in Ceylon, and give my love to dear Roderick – if he remembers me at all, which I doubt."
Henri Matisse Painting
"Of course he remembers you – very well. You helped him in some way when he was at school – something to do with money that was disappearing from a locker – he's never forgotten it."
"Oh, that!" said Miss Marple.
Mrs. McGillicuddy turned away, a whistle blew, the train began to move. Miss Marple watched the sturdy thickset body of her friend recede. Elspeth could go to Ceylon with a clear conscience - she had done her duty and was freed from further obligation.Henri Matisse Painting
I know," said Miss Marple.
"And don't let's worry ourselves any more over all this. We've done what we could."
Miss Marple nodded, and said:
"Don't stand about in the cold, Elspeth. Or you'll be the one to catch a chill. Go and get yourself a good hot cup of tea in the Refreshment Room. You've got time, twelve minutes before your train back to town."
"I think perhaps I will. Good-bye, Jane."
"Good-bye, Elspeth. A happy Christmas to you. I hope you find Margaret well. Enjoy yourself in Ceylon, and give my love to dear Roderick – if he remembers me at all, which I doubt."
Henri Matisse Painting
"Of course he remembers you – very well. You helped him in some way when he was at school – something to do with money that was disappearing from a locker – he's never forgotten it."
"Oh, that!" said Miss Marple.
Mrs. McGillicuddy turned away, a whistle blew, the train began to move. Miss Marple watched the sturdy thickset body of her friend recede. Elspeth could go to Ceylon with a clear conscience - she had done her duty and was freed from further obligation.Henri Matisse Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
All the same," said Miss Marple, "one likes to see with one's own eyes where a thing happened. This train's just a few minutes late. Was yours on time on Friday?"
"I think so. I didn't really notice."
The train drew slowly into the busy length of Brackhampton station. The loudspeaker announced hoarsely, doors opened and shut, people got in and out, milled up and down the platform. It was a busy crowded scene.
Marc Chagall Painting
Easy, thought Miss Marple, for a murderer to merge into that crowd, to leave the station in the midst of that pressing mass of people, or even to select another carriage and go on in the train to wherever its ultimate destination might be. Easy to be one male passenger amongst many. But not so easy to make a body vanish into thin air. That body must be somewhere.
Mrs. McGillicuddy had descended. She spoke now from the platform, through the open window.
"Now take care of yourself, Jane," she said. "Don't catch a chill. It's a nasty treacherous time of year, and you're not so young as you were."
Marc Chagall Painting
All the same," said Miss Marple, "one likes to see with one's own eyes where a thing happened. This train's just a few minutes late. Was yours on time on Friday?"
"I think so. I didn't really notice."
The train drew slowly into the busy length of Brackhampton station. The loudspeaker announced hoarsely, doors opened and shut, people got in and out, milled up and down the platform. It was a busy crowded scene.
Marc Chagall Painting
Easy, thought Miss Marple, for a murderer to merge into that crowd, to leave the station in the midst of that pressing mass of people, or even to select another carriage and go on in the train to wherever its ultimate destination might be. Easy to be one male passenger amongst many. But not so easy to make a body vanish into thin air. That body must be somewhere.
Mrs. McGillicuddy had descended. She spoke now from the platform, through the open window.
"Now take care of yourself, Jane," she said. "Don't catch a chill. It's a nasty treacherous time of year, and you're not so young as you were."
Marc Chagall Painting
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus
A ticket collector appeared in the doorway. Miss Marple raised her eyes interrogatively. Mrs. McGillicuddy shook her head. It was not the same ticket collector. He clipped their tickets, and passed on staggering just a little as the train swung round a long curve. It slackened speed as it did so.
"I expect we're coming into Brackhampton," said Mrs. McGillicuddy.
"We're getting into the outskirts, I think," said Miss Marple.
There were lights flashing past outside, buildings, an occasional glimpse
The Birth of Venus
There were lights flashing past outside, buildings, an occasional glimpse of streets and trams. Their speed slackened further. They began crossing points.
"We'll be there in a minute," said Mrs. McGillicuddy, "and I can't really see this journey has been any good at all. Has it suggested anything to you, Jane?"
"I'm afraid not," said Miss Marple in a rather doubtful voice.
"A sad waste of good money," said Mrs. McGillicuddy, but with less disapproval than she would have used had she been paying for herself. Miss Marple had been quite adamant on that point.The Birth of Venus
A ticket collector appeared in the doorway. Miss Marple raised her eyes interrogatively. Mrs. McGillicuddy shook her head. It was not the same ticket collector. He clipped their tickets, and passed on staggering just a little as the train swung round a long curve. It slackened speed as it did so.
"I expect we're coming into Brackhampton," said Mrs. McGillicuddy.
"We're getting into the outskirts, I think," said Miss Marple.
There were lights flashing past outside, buildings, an occasional glimpse
The Birth of Venus
There were lights flashing past outside, buildings, an occasional glimpse of streets and trams. Their speed slackened further. They began crossing points.
"We'll be there in a minute," said Mrs. McGillicuddy, "and I can't really see this journey has been any good at all. Has it suggested anything to you, Jane?"
"I'm afraid not," said Miss Marple in a rather doubtful voice.
"A sad waste of good money," said Mrs. McGillicuddy, but with less disapproval than she would have used had she been paying for herself. Miss Marple had been quite adamant on that point.The Birth of Venus
William Bouguereau paintings
William Bouguereau paintings
What on earth do you expect, Jane?" she asked. "Another murder?"
"Certainly not," said Miss Marple shocked. "But I confess I should like to see for myself, under your guidance, the - the – really it is most difficult to find the correct term – the terrain of the crime."
So accordingly on the following day Miss Marple and Mrs. McGillicuddy found themselves in two opposite corners of a first-class carriage speeding out of London by the 4.50 from Paddington. Paddington had been even more crowded than on the preceding Friday - as there were now only two days to go before Christmas, but the 4.50 was comparatively peaceful – at any rate, in the rear portion.
William Bouguereau paintings
this occasion no train drew level with them, or they with another train. At intervals trains flashed past them towards London. On two occasions trains flashed past them the other way going at high speed. At intervals Mrs. McGillicuddy consulted her watch doubtfully.
"It's hard to tell just when - we'd passed through a station I know…. But they were continually passing through stations."
"We're due in Brackhampton in five minutes," said Miss Marple.
Bouguereau William
Gustav Klimt Painting
Gustav Klimt Painting
Mrs. McGillicuddy spoke to her twice before Miss Marple answered.
"You're getting deaf, Jane."
"Just a little, perhaps. People do not seem to me to enunciate their words as clearly as they used to do. But it wasn't that I didn't hear you. I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention."
"I just asked about the trains to London to-morrow. Would the afternoon be all right? I'm going to Margaret's and she isn't expecting me before teatime."
"I wonder, Elspeth, if you would mind going up by the 12.15? We could have an early lunch."
"Of course and –” Miss Marple went on, drowning her friend's words:
Gustav Klimt Painting
And I wonder, too, if Margaret would mind if you didn't arrive for tea - if you arrived about seven, perhaps?"
Mrs. McGillicuddy looked at her friend curiously.
"What's on your mind, Jane?"
"I suggest, Elspeth, that I should travel up to London with you, and that we should travel down again as far as Brackhampton in the train you travelled by the other day. You would then return to London from Brackhampton and I would come on here as you did. I, of course, would pay the fares," Miss Marple stressed this point firmly.
Mrs. McGillicuddy ignored the financial aspect.
Gustav Klimt Painting
Mrs. McGillicuddy spoke to her twice before Miss Marple answered.
"You're getting deaf, Jane."
"Just a little, perhaps. People do not seem to me to enunciate their words as clearly as they used to do. But it wasn't that I didn't hear you. I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention."
"I just asked about the trains to London to-morrow. Would the afternoon be all right? I'm going to Margaret's and she isn't expecting me before teatime."
"I wonder, Elspeth, if you would mind going up by the 12.15? We could have an early lunch."
"Of course and –” Miss Marple went on, drowning her friend's words:
Gustav Klimt Painting
And I wonder, too, if Margaret would mind if you didn't arrive for tea - if you arrived about seven, perhaps?"
Mrs. McGillicuddy looked at her friend curiously.
"What's on your mind, Jane?"
"I suggest, Elspeth, that I should travel up to London with you, and that we should travel down again as far as Brackhampton in the train you travelled by the other day. You would then return to London from Brackhampton and I would come on here as you did. I, of course, would pay the fares," Miss Marple stressed this point firmly.
Mrs. McGillicuddy ignored the financial aspect.
Gustav Klimt Painting
Modern Art Painting
Modern Art Painting
of excellent principles and no imagination.
"One wants to know," said Miss Marple, "what really happened."
"She was killed."
"Yes, but who killed her, and why, and what happened to her body? Where is it now?"
"That's the business of the police to find out."
Modern Art Painting
Exactly - and they haven't found out. That means, doesn't it, that the man was clever - very clever. I can't imagine, you know," said Miss Marple, knitting her brows, "how he disposed of it…. You kill a woman in a fit of passion - it must have been unpremeditated, you'd never choose to kill a woman in such circumstances just a few minutes before running into a big station. No, it must have been a quarrel - jealousy - something of that kind. You strangle her - and there you are, as I say, with a dead body on your hands and on the point of running into a station. What could you do except as I said at first, prop the body up in a corner as though asleep, hiding the face, and then yourself leave the train as quickly as possible. I don't see any other possibility - and yet there must have been one…."
Miss Marple lost herself in thought.
Modern Art Painting
of excellent principles and no imagination.
"One wants to know," said Miss Marple, "what really happened."
"She was killed."
"Yes, but who killed her, and why, and what happened to her body? Where is it now?"
"That's the business of the police to find out."
Modern Art Painting
Exactly - and they haven't found out. That means, doesn't it, that the man was clever - very clever. I can't imagine, you know," said Miss Marple, knitting her brows, "how he disposed of it…. You kill a woman in a fit of passion - it must have been unpremeditated, you'd never choose to kill a woman in such circumstances just a few minutes before running into a big station. No, it must have been a quarrel - jealousy - something of that kind. You strangle her - and there you are, as I say, with a dead body on your hands and on the point of running into a station. What could you do except as I said at first, prop the body up in a corner as though asleep, hiding the face, and then yourself leave the train as quickly as possible. I don't see any other possibility - and yet there must have been one…."
Miss Marple lost herself in thought.
Modern Art Painting
Art Painting
Art Painting
don't think," said Miss Marple thoughtfully, "that there's anything more you can do about it." (If Mrs. McGillicuddy had been alert to the tones of her friend's voice, she might have noticed a very faint stress laid on the you.) “You've reported what you saw – to the railway people and to the police. No, there's nothing more you can do."
"That's a relief, in a way," said Mrs. McGillicuddy, "because as you know, I'm going out to Ceylon immediately after Christmas - to stay with Roderick, and I certainly do not want to put that visit off - I've been looking
Art Painting
forward to it so much. Though of course I would put it off if I thought it was my duty," she added conscientiously.
"I'm sure you would, Elspeth, but as I say, I consider you've done everything you possibly could do."
"It's up to the police," said Mrs. McGillicuddy. "And if the police choose to be stupid –"
Miss Marple shook her head decisively.
"Oh, no," she said, “the police aren't stupid. And that makes it interesting, doesn't it?"
Mrs. McGillicuddy looked at her without comprehension and Miss Marple reaffirmed her judgment of he
Art Painting
don't think," said Miss Marple thoughtfully, "that there's anything more you can do about it." (If Mrs. McGillicuddy had been alert to the tones of her friend's voice, she might have noticed a very faint stress laid on the you.) “You've reported what you saw – to the railway people and to the police. No, there's nothing more you can do."
"That's a relief, in a way," said Mrs. McGillicuddy, "because as you know, I'm going out to Ceylon immediately after Christmas - to stay with Roderick, and I certainly do not want to put that visit off - I've been looking
Art Painting
forward to it so much. Though of course I would put it off if I thought it was my duty," she added conscientiously.
"I'm sure you would, Elspeth, but as I say, I consider you've done everything you possibly could do."
"It's up to the police," said Mrs. McGillicuddy. "And if the police choose to be stupid –"
Miss Marple shook her head decisively.
"Oh, no," she said, “the police aren't stupid. And that makes it interesting, doesn't it?"
Mrs. McGillicuddy looked at her without comprehension and Miss Marple reaffirmed her judgment of he
Art Painting
Famous painting
Famous painting
Less serious? Fiddlesticks!" said Mrs. McGillicuddy. "It was murder!"
She looked defiantly at Miss Marple and Miss Marple looked back at her.
"Go on, Jane," said Mrs. McGillicuddy. "Say it was all a mistake! Say I imagined the whole thing! That's what you think now, isn't it?"
Famous painting
Anyone can be mistaken," Miss Marple pointed out gently. "Anybody, Elspeth - even you. I think we must bear that in mind. But I still think, you know, that you were most probably not mistaken…. You use glasses for reading, but you've got very good far sight - and what you saw impressed you very powerfully. You were definitely suffering from shock when you arrived here."
"It's a thing I shall never forget," said Mrs. McGillicuddy with a shudder. "The trouble is, I don't see what I can do about it!"
Famous painting
Less serious? Fiddlesticks!" said Mrs. McGillicuddy. "It was murder!"
She looked defiantly at Miss Marple and Miss Marple looked back at her.
"Go on, Jane," said Mrs. McGillicuddy. "Say it was all a mistake! Say I imagined the whole thing! That's what you think now, isn't it?"
Famous painting
Anyone can be mistaken," Miss Marple pointed out gently. "Anybody, Elspeth - even you. I think we must bear that in mind. But I still think, you know, that you were most probably not mistaken…. You use glasses for reading, but you've got very good far sight - and what you saw impressed you very powerfully. You were definitely suffering from shock when you arrived here."
"It's a thing I shall never forget," said Mrs. McGillicuddy with a shudder. "The trouble is, I don't see what I can do about it!"
Famous painting
Famous artist painting
Famous artist painting
"Yes, it will have been noticed," said Cornish. "Or if a woman was found unconscious or ill in a carriage and was removed to hospital, that, too will be on record. I think you may rest assured that you'll hear about it all in a very short time."
But that day passed and the next day. On that evening Miss Marple received a note from Sergeant Cornish.
Famous artist painting
In regard to the matter on which you consulted me, full inquiries have been made, with no result. No woman's body has been found. No hospital has administered treatment to a woman such as you describe, and no case of a woman suffering from shock or taken ill, or leaving a station supported by a man has been observed. I suggest that your friend may have witnessed a scene such as she described but that if was much less serious than she supposed.
Famous artist painting
"Yes, it will have been noticed," said Cornish. "Or if a woman was found unconscious or ill in a carriage and was removed to hospital, that, too will be on record. I think you may rest assured that you'll hear about it all in a very short time."
But that day passed and the next day. On that evening Miss Marple received a note from Sergeant Cornish.
Famous artist painting
In regard to the matter on which you consulted me, full inquiries have been made, with no result. No woman's body has been found. No hospital has administered treatment to a woman such as you describe, and no case of a woman suffering from shock or taken ill, or leaving a station supported by a man has been observed. I suggest that your friend may have witnessed a scene such as she described but that if was much less serious than she supposed.
Famous artist painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Frank Cornish nodded.
"The only other course open to the murderer would be to push the body out of the train on to the line. It must, I suppose, be still on the track somewhere as yet undiscovered - though that does seem a little unlikely. But there would be, as far as I can see, no other way of dealing with it."
"You read about bodies being put in trunks," said Mrs. McGillicuddy, "but no one travels with trunks nowadays, only suitcases, and you couldn't get a body into a suitcase."
"Yes," said Cornish. "I agree with you both. The body, if
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Yes," said Cornish. "I agree with you both. The body, if there is a body, ought to have been discovered by now, or will be very soon. I'll let you know any developments there are - though I dare say you’ll read about them in the papers. There's the possibility, of course, that the woman, though savagely attacked, was not actually dead. She may have been able to leave the train on her own feet."
"Hardly without assistance," said Miss Marple. "And if so, it will have been noticed. A man, supporting a woman whom he says is ill."
Frank Cornish nodded.
"The only other course open to the murderer would be to push the body out of the train on to the line. It must, I suppose, be still on the track somewhere as yet undiscovered - though that does seem a little unlikely. But there would be, as far as I can see, no other way of dealing with it."
"You read about bodies being put in trunks," said Mrs. McGillicuddy, "but no one travels with trunks nowadays, only suitcases, and you couldn't get a body into a suitcase."
"Yes," said Cornish. "I agree with you both. The body, if
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Yes," said Cornish. "I agree with you both. The body, if there is a body, ought to have been discovered by now, or will be very soon. I'll let you know any developments there are - though I dare say you’ll read about them in the papers. There's the possibility, of course, that the woman, though savagely attacked, was not actually dead. She may have been able to leave the train on her own feet."
"Hardly without assistance," said Miss Marple. "And if so, it will have been noticed. A man, supporting a woman whom he says is ill."
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Rembrandt Painting
Rembrandt Painting
I seehis figure dimly taking shape-a man who prints clearly and well-who buysgood-quality paper-who is at great needs to express his personality.I seehim as a child possibly ignored and passed over-I see him growing up with aninward sense of inferiority-warring with a sense of injustice......I seethat inner urge-to assert himself-to focus attention on himself everbecoming stronger，and events，circumstances-crushing it down-heaping，perhaps，more humiliations on him.And inwardly the match is set to thepowder train......"
Rembrandt Painting
"That's all pure conjucture，"I objected."It doesn't give you anypractical help." "You prefer the match end，the cigarette ash，the nailed boots!Youalways have.But at least we can ask ourselves some practical questions.Whythe A B C?Why Mrs Ascher?Why Andover?" "The woman's past life seems simple enough，"I mused."The interviewswith those two men were disappointing.They couldn't tell us anything morethan we knew already."
Rembrandt Painting
I seehis figure dimly taking shape-a man who prints clearly and well-who buysgood-quality paper-who is at great needs to express his personality.I seehim as a child possibly ignored and passed over-I see him growing up with aninward sense of inferiority-warring with a sense of injustice......I seethat inner urge-to assert himself-to focus attention on himself everbecoming stronger，and events，circumstances-crushing it down-heaping，perhaps，more humiliations on him.And inwardly the match is set to thepowder train......"
Rembrandt Painting
"That's all pure conjucture，"I objected."It doesn't give you anypractical help." "You prefer the match end，the cigarette ash，the nailed boots!Youalways have.But at least we can ask ourselves some practical questions.Whythe A B C?Why Mrs Ascher?Why Andover?" "The woman's past life seems simple enough，"I mused."The interviewswith those two men were disappointing.They couldn't tell us anything morethan we knew already."
Rembrandt Painting
Abstract Painting
Abstract Painting
"To tell the truth，I did not expect much in that line.But we could notneglect two possible candidates for the murder." "Surely you don't think-""There is at least a possibility that themurderer lives in or near Andover.That is a possible answer to ourquestion:"Why Andover?"Well，here were two men known to have been in theshop at the requisite time of day.Either of them might be the murderer.Andthere is nothing as yet to show that one or other of them is not themurderer." "That great hulking brute，Riddell，perhaps，"I admitted. "Oh，I am inclined to acquit Riddell off-hand.He was nervous，blustering，obviously uneasy-""But surely that just shows-""A nature diametricallyopposed to that which penned the A B C letter.
The Three Ages of Woman
Conceit and self-confidence are the characteristics that we must lookfor." "Someove who throws his weight about?" "Possibly.But some people，under a nervous and self-effacing manner，conceal a great deal of vanity and self-satisfaction." "You don't think that little Mr Partridge-""He is more le type.Onecannot say more than that.He acts as the writer of the letter would act-goesat once to the police-pushes himself to the fore-enjoys his position." "Do you really think-?"
Abstract Painting
"To tell the truth，I did not expect much in that line.But we could notneglect two possible candidates for the murder." "Surely you don't think-""There is at least a possibility that themurderer lives in or near Andover.That is a possible answer to ourquestion:"Why Andover?"Well，here were two men known to have been in theshop at the requisite time of day.Either of them might be the murderer.Andthere is nothing as yet to show that one or other of them is not themurderer." "That great hulking brute，Riddell，perhaps，"I admitted. "Oh，I am inclined to acquit Riddell off-hand.He was nervous，blustering，obviously uneasy-""But surely that just shows-""A nature diametricallyopposed to that which penned the A B C letter.
The Three Ages of Woman
Conceit and self-confidence are the characteristics that we must lookfor." "Someove who throws his weight about?" "Possibly.But some people，under a nervous and self-effacing manner，conceal a great deal of vanity and self-satisfaction." "You don't think that little Mr Partridge-""He is more le type.Onecannot say more than that.He acts as the writer of the letter would act-goesat once to the police-pushes himself to the fore-enjoys his position." "Do you really think-?"
Abstract Painting
The Singing Butler
The Singing Butler
"Of course not.He left it on purpose.The fingerprints tell us that." "But there weren't any on it." "That is what I mean.What was yesterday evening?A warm June night.Does aman stroll about on such an evening in gloves?Such a man would certainlyhave attracted attention.Therefore since there are no fingerprints on the AB C，it must have been carefully wiped.An innocent man would have leftprints-a guilty man would not.So our murderer left it there for apurpose-but for all that it is none the less a clue.That A B C was bought bysomeone-it was carried by someone-there is a possibility there."
The Singing Butler
"You think we may learn something that way?" "Frankly，Hastings，I am not particularly hopeful.This man，this unknownX，obviously prides himself on his abilities.He is not likely to blaze atrail that can be followed straight away." "So that really the ABC isn't helpful at all." "Not in the sense you mean." "In any sense?" Poirot did not answer at once.Then he said slowly: "The answer to that is yes.We are confronted here by an unknownpersonage.He is in the dark and seeks to remain in the dark.But in the verynature of things he cannot help throwing light upon himself.In one sense weknow nothing about him-in another sense we know already a good deal.
The Singing Butler
"Of course not.He left it on purpose.The fingerprints tell us that." "But there weren't any on it." "That is what I mean.What was yesterday evening?A warm June night.Does aman stroll about on such an evening in gloves?Such a man would certainlyhave attracted attention.Therefore since there are no fingerprints on the AB C，it must have been carefully wiped.An innocent man would have leftprints-a guilty man would not.So our murderer left it there for apurpose-but for all that it is none the less a clue.That A B C was bought bysomeone-it was carried by someone-there is a possibility there."
The Singing Butler
"You think we may learn something that way?" "Frankly，Hastings，I am not particularly hopeful.This man，this unknownX，obviously prides himself on his abilities.He is not likely to blaze atrail that can be followed straight away." "So that really the ABC isn't helpful at all." "Not in the sense you mean." "In any sense?" Poirot did not answer at once.Then he said slowly: "The answer to that is yes.We are confronted here by an unknownpersonage.He is in the dark and seeks to remain in the dark.But in the verynature of things he cannot help throwing light upon himself.In one sense weknow nothing about him-in another sense we know already a good deal.
The Singing Butler
Jack Vettriano Painting
Jack Vettriano Painting
Well?"I demanded eagerly. We were seated in a first-class carriage which we had to ourselves.Thetrain，an express，had just drawn out of Andover. "The crime，"said Poirot，"was committed by a man of medium height withred hair and a cast in the left eye.He limps slightly on the right foot andhas a mole just below the shoulder-blade." "Poirot?"I cried. For the moment I was completely taken in.Then the twinkle in my friend'seye undeceived me.
Jack Vettriano Painting
"Poirot?"I said again，this time in reproach. "Mon ami，what will you?You fix upon me a look of doglike devotion anddemand of me a pronouncement a la Sherlock Holmes!Now for the truth-I do notknow what the murderer looks like，nor where he lives，nor how to set handsupon him." "If only he had left some clue，"I murmured. "Yes，the clue-it is always the clue that attracts you.Alas that he didnot smoke the cigarette and leave the ash，and then step in it with a showthat has nails of a curious pattern.No-he is not so obliging.But at least，my friend，you have the railway guide.The A B C，that is a clue for you!" "Do you think he left it by mistake then?
Jack Vettriano Painting
Well?"I demanded eagerly. We were seated in a first-class carriage which we had to ourselves.Thetrain，an express，had just drawn out of Andover. "The crime，"said Poirot，"was committed by a man of medium height withred hair and a cast in the left eye.He limps slightly on the right foot andhas a mole just below the shoulder-blade." "Poirot?"I cried. For the moment I was completely taken in.Then the twinkle in my friend'seye undeceived me.
Jack Vettriano Painting
"Poirot?"I said again，this time in reproach. "Mon ami，what will you?You fix upon me a look of doglike devotion anddemand of me a pronouncement a la Sherlock Holmes!Now for the truth-I do notknow what the murderer looks like，nor where he lives，nor how to set handsupon him." "If only he had left some clue，"I murmured. "Yes，the clue-it is always the clue that attracts you.Alas that he didnot smoke the cigarette and leave the ash，and then step in it with a showthat has nails of a curious pattern.No-he is not so obliging.But at least，my friend，you have the railway guide.The A B C，that is a clue for you!" "Do you think he left it by mistake then?
Jack Vettriano Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
"What are you getting at，mister?Nobody's got anything againstme?Everyone knows who did the ole girl in，that b-of a husband of hers." "But he was not in the street that evening and you were." "Trying to fasten it on me，are you?Well，you won't succeed.What reasonhad I got to do a thing like that?Think I wanted to pinch a tin of herbloody tobacco?Think I'm a bloody homicidal maniac as they call it?ThinkI-?" He rose threateningly from his seat.His wife bleated out: "Bert，Bert-don't say such things.Bert-they'll think-""Calm yourself，monsieur，"said Poirot.
Edward Hopper Painting
"I demand only your account of your visit.That you refuse it seems tome-what shall we say-a little odd?" "Who said I refused anything?"Mr Riddell sank back again into hisseat."I don't mind." "It was six o'clock when you entered the shop?" "That's right-a minute or two after，as a matter of fact.Wanted a packetof Gold Flake.I pushed open the door-""It was closed，then?" "That's right.I thought shop was shut，maybe. But it wasn't.I went in，there wasn't anyone about.I hammered on thecounter and waited a bit.Nobody came，so I went out again.That's all，andyou can put it in your pipe and smoke it."
Edward Hopper Painting
"What are you getting at，mister?Nobody's got anything againstme?Everyone knows who did the ole girl in，that b-of a husband of hers." "But he was not in the street that evening and you were." "Trying to fasten it on me，are you?Well，you won't succeed.What reasonhad I got to do a thing like that?Think I wanted to pinch a tin of herbloody tobacco?Think I'm a bloody homicidal maniac as they call it?ThinkI-?" He rose threateningly from his seat.His wife bleated out: "Bert，Bert-don't say such things.Bert-they'll think-""Calm yourself，monsieur，"said Poirot.
Edward Hopper Painting
"I demand only your account of your visit.That you refuse it seems tome-what shall we say-a little odd?" "Who said I refused anything?"Mr Riddell sank back again into hisseat."I don't mind." "It was six o'clock when you entered the shop?" "That's right-a minute or two after，as a matter of fact.Wanted a packetof Gold Flake.I pushed open the door-""It was closed，then?" "That's right.I thought shop was shut，maybe. But it wasn't.I went in，there wasn't anyone about.I hammered on thecounter and waited a bit.Nobody came，so I went out again.That's all，andyou can put it in your pipe and smoke it."
Edward Hopper Painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Mary Cassatt painting
"You didn't see the body fallen down behind the counter?" "No，no more would you have done-unless you was looking for it，maybe." "Was there a railway guide lying about?" "Yes，there was-face downwards.It crossed my mind like that the oldwoman might have had to go off sudden by train and forgot to lock shop up." "Perhaps you picked up the railway guide or moved it along the counter?" "Didn't touch the b-thing.I did just what I said." "And you did not see anyone leaving the shop before you yourself gotthere?"
Mary Cassatt painting
"Didn't see any such thing.What I say is，whay pith on me-?" Poirot rose. "Nobody is pitching upon you-yet.Bonsoir，monsieur." He left the man with his mouth open and I followed him. In the street he consulted his watch. "With great haste，my friend，we might manage to catch the 7.2.Let usdespatch ourselves quickly."
Mary Cassatt painting
"You didn't see the body fallen down behind the counter?" "No，no more would you have done-unless you was looking for it，maybe." "Was there a railway guide lying about?" "Yes，there was-face downwards.It crossed my mind like that the oldwoman might have had to go off sudden by train and forgot to lock shop up." "Perhaps you picked up the railway guide or moved it along the counter?" "Didn't touch the b-thing.I did just what I said." "And you did not see anyone leaving the shop before you yourself gotthere?"
Mary Cassatt painting
"Didn't see any such thing.What I say is，whay pith on me-?" Poirot rose. "Nobody is pitching upon you-yet.Bonsoir，monsieur." He left the man with his mouth open and I followed him. In the street he consulted his watch. "With great haste，my friend，we might manage to catch the 7.2.Let usdespatch ourselves quickly."
Mary Cassatt painting
Van Gogh Sunflower
Van Gogh Sunflower
Poirot gave a quick，amused glance in my direction and then said: "In truth I sympathize with you，but what will you?It is a question ofmurdre，is it not?One has to be very，very careful." "Best tell the gentleman what he wants，Bert."said the woman nervously. "You shut your blarsted mouth，"roared the giant. "You did not，I think，go to the police of your own accord."Poirotslipped the remark in neatly. "Why the hell should I?It were no business of mine."
Van Gogh Sunflower
"A matter of opinion，"said Poirot indifferently."There has been amurder-the police want to know who has been in the shop-I myself think itwould have-what shall I say?-looked more natural if you had come forward." "I've got my work to do.Don't say I shouldn't have come forward in myown time-""But as it was，the police were given your name as that of aperson seen to go into Mrs Ascher's and they had to come to you.Were theysatisfied with your account?" "Why shouldn't they be?"demanded Bert truculently. Poirot merely shrugged his shoulders.
Van Gogh Sunflower
Poirot gave a quick，amused glance in my direction and then said: "In truth I sympathize with you，but what will you?It is a question ofmurdre，is it not?One has to be very，very careful." "Best tell the gentleman what he wants，Bert."said the woman nervously. "You shut your blarsted mouth，"roared the giant. "You did not，I think，go to the police of your own accord."Poirotslipped the remark in neatly. "Why the hell should I?It were no business of mine."
Van Gogh Sunflower
"A matter of opinion，"said Poirot indifferently."There has been amurder-the police want to know who has been in the shop-I myself think itwould have-what shall I say?-looked more natural if you had come forward." "I've got my work to do.Don't say I shouldn't have come forward in myown time-""But as it was，the police were given your name as that of aperson seen to go into Mrs Ascher's and they had to come to you.Were theysatisfied with your account?" "Why shouldn't they be?"demanded Bert truculently. Poirot merely shrugged his shoulders.
Van Gogh Sunflower
Van Gogh Painting
Van Gogh Painting
Mr Partridge considered. "As far as I noticed，she seemed exactly as usual."he said. Poirot rose. "Thank you，Mr Partridge，for answering these questions.Have you，by anychance，an A B C in the house?I want to look up my return train to London." "On the shelf just behind you，"said Mr Partridge. On the shelf in question were an A B C，a Bradshaw，the Stock ExchangeYear Book，Kelly's Directory，a Who's Who and a local directory. Poirot took down the A B C，pretended to look up a train，then thankedMr Partridge and took his leave.
Van Gogh Painting
Our next interview was with Mr Alber Riddell and was of a highlydifferent character.Mr Albert Riddell was a platelayer and our conversationtook place to the accompaniment of the clattering of plates and dishes by MrRiddell's obviously nervous wife，the growling of Mr Riddell's dog and theundisguised hostility of Mr Riddell himself. He was a big clumsy giant of a man with a broad face and smallsuspicious eyes.He was in the act of eating meat-pie，washed down byexceedingly black tea.He peered at us angrily over the rim of his cup. "Told all I've got to tell once，haven't I"he growled."What's it to dowith me，anyway?Told it to the blarsted police，I'ave，and now I've got tospit it all out again to a couple of blarsted foreigners."
Van Gogh Painting
Mr Partridge considered. "As far as I noticed，she seemed exactly as usual."he said. Poirot rose. "Thank you，Mr Partridge，for answering these questions.Have you，by anychance，an A B C in the house?I want to look up my return train to London." "On the shelf just behind you，"said Mr Partridge. On the shelf in question were an A B C，a Bradshaw，the Stock ExchangeYear Book，Kelly's Directory，a Who's Who and a local directory. Poirot took down the A B C，pretended to look up a train，then thankedMr Partridge and took his leave.
Van Gogh Painting
Our next interview was with Mr Alber Riddell and was of a highlydifferent character.Mr Albert Riddell was a platelayer and our conversationtook place to the accompaniment of the clattering of plates and dishes by MrRiddell's obviously nervous wife，the growling of Mr Riddell's dog and theundisguised hostility of Mr Riddell himself. He was a big clumsy giant of a man with a broad face and smallsuspicious eyes.He was in the act of eating meat-pie，washed down byexceedingly black tea.He peered at us angrily over the rim of his cup. "Told all I've got to tell once，haven't I"he growled."What's it to dowith me，anyway?Told it to the blarsted police，I'ave，and now I've got tospit it all out again to a couple of blarsted foreigners."
Van Gogh Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
"You，I understand，went to the police of your own accord?" "Certainly I did.As soon as I heard of the shocking occurrence Iperceived that my statement might be helpful and came forward accordingly." "A very proper spirit，"said Poirot solemnly."Perhaps you will be sokind as to repeat your story to me." "By all means.I was returning to this house and at5.30precisely-""Pardon，how was it that you knew the time so accurately?" Mr Partridge looked a little annoyed at being interrupted. "The church clock chimed.I looked at my watch and found I was a minuteslow.That was just before I entered Mrs Ascher's shop."
Henri Matisse Painting
"Were you in the habit of making purchases there?" "Fairly frequently.It was on my way home. About once or twice a week I was in the habit of purchasing two ouncesof John Cotton mild." "Did you know Mrs Ascher at all?Anything of her circumstances or herhistory?" "Nothing whatever.Beyond my purchase and an occasional remark as to thestate of the weather，I had never spoken to her." "Did you know she had a drunken husband who was in the habit ofthreatening her life?" "No，I knew nothing whatever about her." "You knew her by sight，however.Did anything about her appearance strikeyou as unusual yesterday evening?Did she appear flurried or put out in anyway?"
Henri Matisse Painting
"You，I understand，went to the police of your own accord?" "Certainly I did.As soon as I heard of the shocking occurrence Iperceived that my statement might be helpful and came forward accordingly." "A very proper spirit，"said Poirot solemnly."Perhaps you will be sokind as to repeat your story to me." "By all means.I was returning to this house and at5.30precisely-""Pardon，how was it that you knew the time so accurately?" Mr Partridge looked a little annoyed at being interrupted. "The church clock chimed.I looked at my watch and found I was a minuteslow.That was just before I entered Mrs Ascher's shop."
Henri Matisse Painting
"Were you in the habit of making purchases there?" "Fairly frequently.It was on my way home. About once or twice a week I was in the habit of purchasing two ouncesof John Cotton mild." "Did you know Mrs Ascher at all?Anything of her circumstances or herhistory?" "Nothing whatever.Beyond my purchase and an occasional remark as to thestate of the weather，I had never spoken to her." "Did you know she had a drunken husband who was in the habit ofthreatening her life?" "No，I knew nothing whatever about her." "You knew her by sight，however.Did anything about her appearance strikeyou as unusual yesterday evening?Did she appear flurried or put out in anyway?"
Henri Matisse Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
We had two more interviews before returning to London. The first was with Mr James Partridge.Mr Partridge was the last personknown to have seen Mrs Ascher alive.He had made a purchase from her at 5.30. Mr Partridge was a small man，a bank clerk by profession.He worepince-nez，was very dry and spare-looking and extremely precise in all hisutterances.He lived in a small house as neat and trim as himself. "Mr-er-Poirot，"he said，glancing at the card my friend had handed to him. "From Inspector Glen?What can I do for you，Mr Poirot?" "I understand，Mr Patridge，that you were the last person to see MrsAscher alive."
Marc Chagall Painting
Mr Partridge placed his finger-tips together and looked at Poirot asthough he were a doubtful cheque. "That is a very debatable point，Mr Poirot，"he said."Many people mayhave made purchase from Mrs Ascher after I did so." "If so，they have not come forward to say so." Mr Partridge coughed. "Some people，Mr Poirot，have no sense of public duty." He looked at us owlishly through his spectacles. "Exceedingly true，"murmured Poirot.
Marc Chagall Painting
We had two more interviews before returning to London. The first was with Mr James Partridge.Mr Partridge was the last personknown to have seen Mrs Ascher alive.He had made a purchase from her at 5.30. Mr Partridge was a small man，a bank clerk by profession.He worepince-nez，was very dry and spare-looking and extremely precise in all hisutterances.He lived in a small house as neat and trim as himself. "Mr-er-Poirot，"he said，glancing at the card my friend had handed to him. "From Inspector Glen?What can I do for you，Mr Poirot?" "I understand，Mr Patridge，that you were the last person to see MrsAscher alive."
Marc Chagall Painting
Mr Partridge placed his finger-tips together and looked at Poirot asthough he were a doubtful cheque. "That is a very debatable point，Mr Poirot，"he said."Many people mayhave made purchase from Mrs Ascher after I did so." "If so，they have not come forward to say so." Mr Partridge coughed. "Some people，Mr Poirot，have no sense of public duty." He looked at us owlishly through his spectacles. "Exceedingly true，"murmured Poirot.
Marc Chagall Painting
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus
Inspector Glen was looking rather gloomy.He had，I gathered，spent theafternoon trying to get a complete list of persons who had been noticedentering the tobacco shop. "And nobody has seen anyone?"Poirot inquired. "Oh，yes，they have.Three tall men with furtive expressions-four shortmen with black moustaches-two beards-three fat men-all strangers-and all，ifI'm to believe witnesses，with sinister expressions!I wonder somebody didn'tsee a gang of masked men with revolvers while they were about it!"
The Birth of Venus
Poirot smiled sympathetically. "Does anybody claim to have seen the man Ascher?" "No，they don't.And that's another point in his favour.I've just toldthe Chief Constable that I think this is a job for Scotland Yard.I don'tbelieve it's a local crime." Poirot said gravely: "I agree with you." The inspector said: "You know，Monsieur Poirot，it's a nasty business-a nastybusiness......I don't like it......"
The Birth of Venus
Inspector Glen was looking rather gloomy.He had，I gathered，spent theafternoon trying to get a complete list of persons who had been noticedentering the tobacco shop. "And nobody has seen anyone?"Poirot inquired. "Oh，yes，they have.Three tall men with furtive expressions-four shortmen with black moustaches-two beards-three fat men-all strangers-and all，ifI'm to believe witnesses，with sinister expressions!I wonder somebody didn'tsee a gang of masked men with revolvers while they were about it!"
The Birth of Venus
Poirot smiled sympathetically. "Does anybody claim to have seen the man Ascher?" "No，they don't.And that's another point in his favour.I've just toldthe Chief Constable that I think this is a job for Scotland Yard.I don'tbelieve it's a local crime." Poirot said gravely: "I agree with you." The inspector said: "You know，Monsieur Poirot，it's a nasty business-a nastybusiness......I don't like it......"
The Birth of Venus
William Bouguereau paintings
William Bouguereau paintings
Shen wound up with a deep gasp. "Nobody saw this man Ascher go into the shop，I believe?"said Poirot. Mrs Fowler sniffed scornfully. "Naturally he wasn't going to show himself，"she said. How Mr Ascher had got there without showing himself she did not deign toexplain. She agreed that there was no back way into the house and that Ascher wasquite well known by sight in the district. "But he didn't want to swing for it and he kept himself well hid." Poirot kept the conversational ball rolling some little time longer，butwhen it seemed certain that Mrs Fowler had told all that she knew not oncebut many times over，he terminated the interview，first paying out thepromised sum.
William Bouguereau paintings
Rather a dear five pounds'worth，Poirot，"I ventured to remark when wewere once more in the street. "So far，yes." "You think she knows more than she has told?" "My friend，we are in the peculiar position of not knowing what questionto ask.We are like little children playing cache-cache in the dark.Westretch out our hands and group about.Mrs Fowler has told us all that shethinks she knows-and has thrown in several conjectures for good measure!Inthe future，however，her evidence may be useful.It is for the future that Ihave invested that sum of five pounds." I did not quite understand the point，but at this moment we ran intoInspector Glen.Bouguereau William
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
"You must excuse me，"the woman was saying."I am sure I'm sorry I spokeso sharp just now，but you'd hardly believe the worry one has to put upwith-fellows coming along selling this，that and the other-vacuum cleaners，stockings，lavender bags and such-like foolery-and all so plausible andcivil spoken.Got your name，too，pat they have.It's Mrs Fowler this，thatand the other." Seizing adroitly on the name，Poirot said: "Well，Mrs Fowler，I hope you're going to do what I ask." "Idon't know，I'm sure."The five pounds hung alluringly before MrsFowler's eyes."I knew Mrs Ascher，of course，but as to writing anything."
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Hastily Poirot reassured her.No labour on her part was required.He wouldelicit the facts from her and the interview would be written up. Thus encouraged，Mrs Fowler plunged willingly into reminiscence，conjecture and hearsay. Kept herself to herself，Mrs Ascher had.Not what you'd call reallyfriendly，but there，she'd had a lot of trouble，poor soul，everyone knewthat.And by rights Franz Ascher ought to have been locked up years ago.Notthat Mrs Ascher had been afraid of him-real tartar she could be whenroused!Given as good as she got any day.But there it was-the pitcher couldgo to the well once too ofter.Again and again，she，Mrs Fowler，had said toher:"One of these days that man will do for you.
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
"You must excuse me，"the woman was saying."I am sure I'm sorry I spokeso sharp just now，but you'd hardly believe the worry one has to put upwith-fellows coming along selling this，that and the other-vacuum cleaners，stockings，lavender bags and such-like foolery-and all so plausible andcivil spoken.Got your name，too，pat they have.It's Mrs Fowler this，thatand the other." Seizing adroitly on the name，Poirot said: "Well，Mrs Fowler，I hope you're going to do what I ask." "Idon't know，I'm sure."The five pounds hung alluringly before MrsFowler's eyes."I knew Mrs Ascher，of course，but as to writing anything."
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Hastily Poirot reassured her.No labour on her part was required.He wouldelicit the facts from her and the interview would be written up. Thus encouraged，Mrs Fowler plunged willingly into reminiscence，conjecture and hearsay. Kept herself to herself，Mrs Ascher had.Not what you'd call reallyfriendly，but there，she'd had a lot of trouble，poor soul，everyone knewthat.And by rights Franz Ascher ought to have been locked up years ago.Notthat Mrs Ascher had been afraid of him-real tartar she could be whenroused!Given as good as she got any day.But there it was-the pitcher couldgo to the well once too ofter.Again and again，she，Mrs Fowler，had said toher:"One of these days that man will do for you.
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Gustav Klimt Painting
Gustav Klimt Painting
Mark my words." And he had done，hadn't he?And there had she，Mrs Fowler，been rightnext door and never heard a sound. In a pause Poirot managed to insert a question. Had Mrs Ascher ever received any peculiar letters-letters without aproper signature-just something like A B C? Regretfully，Mrs Fowler returned a negative answer. "I know the kind of thing you mean-anonymous letters they callthem-mostly full of words you'd blush to say out loud.Well，I don't know，I'm sure，if Franz Ascher ever took to writing those.Mrs Ascher never let onto me if he did.What's that?A railway guide，an A B C?No，I never saw such athing about-and I'm sure if Mrs Ascher had been sent one
Gustav Klimt Painting
I'd have heardabout it.I declare you could have knocked me down with a feather when Iheard about this whold business.It was my firl Edie what came to me."Mum，"she says，"there's ever so many policemen next door."Gave me quite a turn，it did."Well，"I said，when I heard about it，"it does show that she oughtnever to have been alone in the house-that niece of hers ought to have beenwith her.A man in drink can be like a ravening wolf，"I said，"and in myopinion a wild beast is neither more nor less than what that old devil of ahusband of hers is.I've warned her，"I said，"many times and now my wordshave come true.He'll do for you，"I said.And he has done for her!You can'trightly estimate what a man will do when he's in drink and this murder's aproof of it."Gustav Klimt Painting
Mark my words." And he had done，hadn't he?And there had she，Mrs Fowler，been rightnext door and never heard a sound. In a pause Poirot managed to insert a question. Had Mrs Ascher ever received any peculiar letters-letters without aproper signature-just something like A B C? Regretfully，Mrs Fowler returned a negative answer. "I know the kind of thing you mean-anonymous letters they callthem-mostly full of words you'd blush to say out loud.Well，I don't know，I'm sure，if Franz Ascher ever took to writing those.Mrs Ascher never let onto me if he did.What's that?A railway guide，an A B C?No，I never saw such athing about-and I'm sure if Mrs Ascher had been sent one
Gustav Klimt Painting
I'd have heardabout it.I declare you could have knocked me down with a feather when Iheard about this whold business.It was my firl Edie what came to me."Mum，"she says，"there's ever so many policemen next door."Gave me quite a turn，it did."Well，"I said，when I heard about it，"it does show that she oughtnever to have been alone in the house-that niece of hers ought to have beenwith her.A man in drink can be like a ravening wolf，"I said，"and in myopinion a wild beast is neither more nor less than what that old devil of ahusband of hers is.I've warned her，"I said，"many times and now my wordshave come true.He'll do for you，"I said.And he has done for her!You can'trightly estimate what a man will do when he's in drink and this murder's aproof of it."Gustav Klimt Painting
Modern Art Painting
Modern Art Painting
It stared at us with disfavour and deep suspicion. "Your mother，"said Poirot. This took some twelve seconds to sink in，then the child turned and，bawling up the stairs "Mum，you're wanted，"retreated to some fastness inthe dim interior. A sharp-faced woman looked over the balusters and began to descend. "No good you wasting your time-"she began，but Poirot interrupted her. He took off his hat and bowed magnificently.
Modern Art Painting
Good evening，madame.I am on the staff of the Evening Flicker.I want topersuade you to accept a free of five pounds and let us have an article onyour late neighbour，Mrs Ascher." The irate words arrested on her lips，the woman came down the stairssmoothing her hair and hitching at her skirt. "Come inside，please-on the left there.Won't you sit down，sir." The tiny room was heavily over-crowded with a massive pseudo-Jacobeansuite，but we managed to squeeze ourselves in and on to a hard-seated sofa.
Modern Art Painting
It stared at us with disfavour and deep suspicion. "Your mother，"said Poirot. This took some twelve seconds to sink in，then the child turned and，bawling up the stairs "Mum，you're wanted，"retreated to some fastness inthe dim interior. A sharp-faced woman looked over the balusters and began to descend. "No good you wasting your time-"she began，but Poirot interrupted her. He took off his hat and bowed magnificently.
Modern Art Painting
Good evening，madame.I am on the staff of the Evening Flicker.I want topersuade you to accept a free of five pounds and let us have an article onyour late neighbour，Mrs Ascher." The irate words arrested on her lips，the woman came down the stairssmoothing her hair and hitching at her skirt. "Come inside，please-on the left there.Won't you sit down，sir." The tiny room was heavily over-crowded with a massive pseudo-Jacobeansuite，but we managed to squeeze ourselves in and on to a hard-seated sofa.
Modern Art Painting
Monday, October 22, 2007
Gustav Klimt two girls with an oleander Painting
Gustav Klimt two girls with an oleander Painting
With some dismay，I perceived that this was indeed the case. I hastily presented the strawberries to a small boy who seemed highlyastonished and faintly suspicious. Poirot added the lettuce，thus setting the seal on the child'sbewilderment. He continued to drive the moral home. "At a cheap greengrocer's-not strawberries.A strawberry，unless freshpicked，is bound to exude juice.A banana-some apples-even a cabbage-butstrawberries-""It was the first thing I thought of，"I explained by way ofexcuse.
"That is unworthy of your imagination，"returned Poirot sternly. He paused on the sidewalk. The house and shop on the right of Mrs Ascher's was empty.A "TO LET"signappeared in the windows.On the other side was a house with somewhat grimymuslin curtains. To this house Poirot betook himself and，there being no bell，executed aseries of sharp flourishes with the knocker. The door was opened after some delay by a very dirty child with a nosethat needed attention. "Good evening，"said Poirot."Is your mother within?" "Ay?"said the child.
Art Painting
With some dismay，I perceived that this was indeed the case. I hastily presented the strawberries to a small boy who seemed highlyastonished and faintly suspicious. Poirot added the lettuce，thus setting the seal on the child'sbewilderment. He continued to drive the moral home. "At a cheap greengrocer's-not strawberries.A strawberry，unless freshpicked，is bound to exude juice.A banana-some apples-even a cabbage-butstrawberries-""It was the first thing I thought of，"I explained by way ofexcuse.
"That is unworthy of your imagination，"returned Poirot sternly. He paused on the sidewalk. The house and shop on the right of Mrs Ascher's was empty.A "TO LET"signappeared in the windows.On the other side was a house with somewhat grimymuslin curtains. To this house Poirot betook himself and，there being no bell，executed aseries of sharp flourishes with the knocker. The door was opened after some delay by a very dirty child with a nosethat needed attention. "Good evening，"said Poirot."Is your mother within?" "Ay?"said the child.
Art Painting
Famous painting
Famous painting
reproachfully. "Parbleu，I wanted to estimaate the chances of a stranger being noticedentering the shop opposite." "Couldn't you simply have asked-without all that tissue of lies?" "No，mon ami.If I had "simply asked"，as you put it，I should have gotno answer at all to my question.You yourself are English and yet you do notseem to appreciate the quality of the English reaction to a directquestion.It is invariably one of suspicion and the natural result isreticence.If I had asked those people for information they would have shutup like oysters.
Famous painting
But by making a statement (and a somewhat out of the way andpreposterous one)and by your contradiction of it，tongues are immediatelyloosened.We know also that that particular time was a "busy time"-that is，that everyove would be intent on their own concerns and that there would bea fair number of people passing along the pavements.Our murderer chose histime well，Hastings." He paused and then added on a deep note of reproach: "Is it that you have not in any degree the common sense，Hastings?I sayto you:"Make a purchase quelconque"-and you deliberately choose thestrawberries!Already they commence to creep through their bag and endangeryour good suit."
Famous painting
reproachfully. "Parbleu，I wanted to estimaate the chances of a stranger being noticedentering the shop opposite." "Couldn't you simply have asked-without all that tissue of lies?" "No，mon ami.If I had "simply asked"，as you put it，I should have gotno answer at all to my question.You yourself are English and yet you do notseem to appreciate the quality of the English reaction to a directquestion.It is invariably one of suspicion and the natural result isreticence.If I had asked those people for information they would have shutup like oysters.
Famous painting
But by making a statement (and a somewhat out of the way andpreposterous one)and by your contradiction of it，tongues are immediatelyloosened.We know also that that particular time was a "busy time"-that is，that everyove would be intent on their own concerns and that there would bea fair number of people passing along the pavements.Our murderer chose histime well，Hastings." He paused and then added on a deep note of reproach: "Is it that you have not in any degree the common sense，Hastings?I sayto you:"Make a purchase quelconque"-and you deliberately choose thestrawberries!Already they commence to creep through their bag and endangeryour good suit."
Famous painting
Famous artist painting
Famous artist painting
"What's that?"The woman looked up sharply."A Russian did it，you say?" "I understand that the police have arrested him." "Did you ever know?"The woman was excited，voluble."A foreigner." "Mais oui.I thought perhaps you might have noticed him last night?" "Well，I don't get much chance of noticing，and that's fact.Theevening's our busy time and there's always a fair few passing along andgetting home after their work.A tall，fair man with a beard-no，I can't sayI saw anyone of that description anywhere about." I broke in on my cue.
Famous artist painting
Excuse me，sir，"I said to Poirot. "I think you have been misinformed.A short dark man I was told." An interested discussion intervened in which the stout lady，her lankhusband and a hoarse-voiced shop-boy all participated.No less than fourshort dark men had been observed，and the hoarse boy had seen a tall fairone，"but he hadn't got no beard，"he added regretfully. Finally，our purchases made，we left the establishment，leaving ourfalsehoods uncorrected. "And what was the point of all that，Poirot?"I demanded somewhatreproachfully.
Famous artist painting
"What's that?"The woman looked up sharply."A Russian did it，you say?" "I understand that the police have arrested him." "Did you ever know?"The woman was excited，voluble."A foreigner." "Mais oui.I thought perhaps you might have noticed him last night?" "Well，I don't get much chance of noticing，and that's fact.Theevening's our busy time and there's always a fair few passing along andgetting home after their work.A tall，fair man with a beard-no，I can't sayI saw anyone of that description anywhere about." I broke in on my cue.
Famous artist painting
Excuse me，sir，"I said to Poirot. "I think you have been misinformed.A short dark man I was told." An interested discussion intervened in which the stout lady，her lankhusband and a hoarse-voiced shop-boy all participated.No less than fourshort dark men had been observed，and the hoarse boy had seen a tall fairone，"but he hadn't got no beard，"he added regretfully. Finally，our purchases made，we left the establishment，leaving ourfalsehoods uncorrected. "And what was the point of all that，Poirot?"I demanded somewhatreproachfully.
Famous artist painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
"Come，Hastings，there is nothing for us here." When we were once more in the street，he hesitated for a minute or two，then crossed the road.Almost exactly opposite Mrs Ascher's was agreengrocer's shop-of the type that has most of its stock outside ratherthan inside. In a low voice Poirot gave me certain instructions. Then he himself entered the shop.After waiting a minute or two Ifollowed him in.He was at the moment negotiating for a lettuce.I myselfbought a pound of strawberries.
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Poirot was talking animatedly to the stout lady who was serving him. "It was just opposite you，was it not，that this murder occurred?What anaffair!What a sensation it must have caused you!" The stout lady was obviously tired of talking about the murder.She musthave had a long day of it.Shen observed""It would be as well if some of thatgaping crowd cleared off.What is there to look at，I'd like to know?" "It must have been very different last night，"said Poirot."Possibly youeven observed the murderer enter the shop-a tall，fair man with a beard，washe not?A Russian，so I have heard."
"Come，Hastings，there is nothing for us here." When we were once more in the street，he hesitated for a minute or two，then crossed the road.Almost exactly opposite Mrs Ascher's was agreengrocer's shop-of the type that has most of its stock outside ratherthan inside. In a low voice Poirot gave me certain instructions. Then he himself entered the shop.After waiting a minute or two Ifollowed him in.He was at the moment negotiating for a lettuce.I myselfbought a pound of strawberries.
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Poirot was talking animatedly to the stout lady who was serving him. "It was just opposite you，was it not，that this murder occurred?What anaffair!What a sensation it must have caused you!" The stout lady was obviously tired of talking about the murder.She musthave had a long day of it.Shen observed""It would be as well if some of thatgaping crowd cleared off.What is there to look at，I'd like to know?" "It must have been very different last night，"said Poirot."Possibly youeven observed the murderer enter the shop-a tall，fair man with a beard，washe not?A Russian，so I have heard."
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Jack Vettriano Painting
Jack Vettriano Painting
tree trunk. It has eight of these long legs, and as the monster crawls through the forest he seizes an animal with a leg and drags it to his mouth, where he eats it as a spider does a fly. Not one of us is safe while this fierce creature is alive, and we had called a meeting to decide how to take care of ourselves when you came among us."
The Lion thought for a moment.
"Are there any other lions in this forest?" he asked.
Jack Vettriano Painting
"No; there were some, but the monster has eaten them all. And, besides, they were none of them nearly so large and brave as you."
"If I put an end to your enemy, will you bow down to me and obey me as King of the Forest?" inquired the Lion.
"We will do that gladly," returned the tiger; and all the other beasts roared with a mighty roar: "We will!"
"Where is this great spider of yours now?" asked the Lion. Jack Vettriano Painting
tree trunk. It has eight of these long legs, and as the monster crawls through the forest he seizes an animal with a leg and drags it to his mouth, where he eats it as a spider does a fly. Not one of us is safe while this fierce creature is alive, and we had called a meeting to decide how to take care of ourselves when you came among us."
The Lion thought for a moment.
"Are there any other lions in this forest?" he asked.
Jack Vettriano Painting
"No; there were some, but the monster has eaten them all. And, besides, they were none of them nearly so large and brave as you."
"If I put an end to your enemy, will you bow down to me and obey me as King of the Forest?" inquired the Lion.
"We will do that gladly," returned the tiger; and all the other beasts roared with a mighty roar: "We will!"
"Where is this great spider of yours now?" asked the Lion. Jack Vettriano Painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Mary Cassatt painting
When morning came, they started again. Before they had gone far they heard a low rumble, as of the growling of many wild animals. Toto whimpered a little, but none of the others was frightened, and they kept along the well-trodden path until they came to an opening in the wood, in which were gathered hundreds of beasts of every variety. There were tigers and elephants and bears and wolves and foxes and all the others in the natural history
Mary Cassatt painting
and for a moment Dorothy was afraid. But the Lion explained that the animals were holding a meeting, and he judged by their snarling and growling that they were in great trouble.
As he spoke several of the beasts caught sight of him, and at once the great assemblage hushed as if by magic. The biggest of the tigers came up to the Lion and bowed, saying:
"Welcome, O King of Beasts! You have come in good time to fight our enemy and bring peace to all the animals of the forest once more."
"What is your trouble?" asked the Lion quietly.
Mary Cassatt painting
When morning came, they started again. Before they had gone far they heard a low rumble, as of the growling of many wild animals. Toto whimpered a little, but none of the others was frightened, and they kept along the well-trodden path until they came to an opening in the wood, in which were gathered hundreds of beasts of every variety. There were tigers and elephants and bears and wolves and foxes and all the others in the natural history
Mary Cassatt painting
and for a moment Dorothy was afraid. But the Lion explained that the animals were holding a meeting, and he judged by their snarling and growling that they were in great trouble.
As he spoke several of the beasts caught sight of him, and at once the great assemblage hushed as if by magic. The biggest of the tigers came up to the Lion and bowed, saying:
"Welcome, O King of Beasts! You have come in good time to fight our enemy and bring peace to all the animals of the forest once more."
"What is your trouble?" asked the Lion quietly.
Mary Cassatt painting
The Singing Butler
The Singing Butler
"Yonder, among the oak trees," said the tiger, pointing with his forefoot.
"Take good care of these friends of mine," said the Lion, "and I will go at once to fight the monster."
He bade his comrades good-bye and marched proudly away to do battle with the enemy.
The great spider was lying asleep when the Lion found him, and it looked so ugly that its foe turned up his nose in disgust. It's legs were quite as long as the tiger
The Singing Butler
had said, and its body covered with coarse black hair. It had a great mouth, with a row of sharp teeth a foot long; but its head was joined to the pudgy body by a neck as slender as a wasp's waist. This gave the Lion a hint of the best way to attack the creature, and as he knew it was easier to fight it asleep than awake, he gave a great spring and landed directly upon the monster's back. Then, with one blow of his heavy paw, all armed with sharp claws, he knocked the spider's head from its body. Jumping down, he watched it until the long legs stopped wiggling, when he knew it was quite dead.
The Singing Butler
"Yonder, among the oak trees," said the tiger, pointing with his forefoot.
"Take good care of these friends of mine," said the Lion, "and I will go at once to fight the monster."
He bade his comrades good-bye and marched proudly away to do battle with the enemy.
The great spider was lying asleep when the Lion found him, and it looked so ugly that its foe turned up his nose in disgust. It's legs were quite as long as the tiger
The Singing Butler
had said, and its body covered with coarse black hair. It had a great mouth, with a row of sharp teeth a foot long; but its head was joined to the pudgy body by a neck as slender as a wasp's waist. This gave the Lion a hint of the best way to attack the creature, and as he knew it was easier to fight it asleep than awake, he gave a great spring and landed directly upon the monster's back. Then, with one blow of his heavy paw, all armed with sharp claws, he knocked the spider's head from its body. Jumping down, he watched it until the long legs stopped wiggling, when he knew it was quite dead.
The Singing Butler
Edward Hopper Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
the trees were bigger and older than any they had ever seen.
"This forest is perfectly delightful," declared the Lion, looking around him with joy. "Never have I seen a more beautiful place."
"It seems gloomy," said the Scarecrow.
"Not a bit of it," answered the Lion. "I should like to live here all my life. See how soft the dried leaves are under your feet and how rich and green the moss is that clings to these old trees. Surely no wild beast could wish a pleasanter home."
Edward Hopper Painting
Perhaps there are wild beasts in the forest now," said Dorothy.
"I suppose there are," returned the Lion, "but I do not see any of them about."
They walked through the forest until it became too dark to go any farther. Dorothy and Toto and the Lion lay down to sleep, while the Woodman and the Scarecrow kept watch over them as usual.
Edward Hopper Painting
the trees were bigger and older than any they had ever seen.
"This forest is perfectly delightful," declared the Lion, looking around him with joy. "Never have I seen a more beautiful place."
"It seems gloomy," said the Scarecrow.
"Not a bit of it," answered the Lion. "I should like to live here all my life. See how soft the dried leaves are under your feet and how rich and green the moss is that clings to these old trees. Surely no wild beast could wish a pleasanter home."
Edward Hopper Painting
Perhaps there are wild beasts in the forest now," said Dorothy.
"I suppose there are," returned the Lion, "but I do not see any of them about."
They walked through the forest until it became too dark to go any farther. Dorothy and Toto and the Lion lay down to sleep, while the Woodman and the Scarecrow kept watch over them as usual.
Edward Hopper Painting
van gogh sunflower
van gogh sunflower "That was too bad," said Dorothy, "but really I think we were lucky in not doing these little people more harm than breaking a cow's leg and a church. They are all so brittle!"
"They are, indeed," said the Scarecrow, "and I am thankful I am made of straw and cannot be easily damaged. There are worse things in the world than being a Scarecrow."
van gogh sunflower
After climbing down from the china wall the travelers found themselves in a disagreeable country, full of bogs and marshes and covered with tall, rank grass. It was difficult to walk without falling into muddy holes, for the grass was so thick that it hid them from sight. However, by carefully picking their way, they got safely along until they reached solid ground. But here the country seemed wilder than ever, and after a long and tiresome walk through the underbrush they entered another forest, where
van gogh sunflower
"They are, indeed," said the Scarecrow, "and I am thankful I am made of straw and cannot be easily damaged. There are worse things in the world than being a Scarecrow."
van gogh sunflower
After climbing down from the china wall the travelers found themselves in a disagreeable country, full of bogs and marshes and covered with tall, rank grass. It was difficult to walk without falling into muddy holes, for the grass was so thick that it hid them from sight. However, by carefully picking their way, they got safely along until they reached solid ground. But here the country seemed wilder than ever, and after a long and tiresome walk through the underbrush they entered another forest, where
van gogh sunflower
Van Gogh Painting
Van Gogh Painting
whenever any of us are taken away our joints at once stiffen, and we can only stand straight and look pretty. Of course that is all that is expected of us when we are on mantels and cabinets and drawing-room tables, but our lives are much pleasanter here in our own country."
"I would not make you unhappy for all the world!" exclaimed Dorothy. "So I'll just say good-bye."
"Good-bye," replied the Princess.
Van Gogh Painting
They walked carefully through the china country. The little animals and all the people scampered out of their way, fearing the strangers would break them, and after an hour or so the travelers reached the other side of the country and came to another china wall.
It was not so high as the first, however, and by standing upon the Lion's back they all managed to scramble to the top. Then the Lion gathered his legs under him and jumped on the wall; but just as he jumped, he upset a china church with his tail and smashed it all to pieces.
Van Gogh Painting
whenever any of us are taken away our joints at once stiffen, and we can only stand straight and look pretty. Of course that is all that is expected of us when we are on mantels and cabinets and drawing-room tables, but our lives are much pleasanter here in our own country."
"I would not make you unhappy for all the world!" exclaimed Dorothy. "So I'll just say good-bye."
"Good-bye," replied the Princess.
Van Gogh Painting
They walked carefully through the china country. The little animals and all the people scampered out of their way, fearing the strangers would break them, and after an hour or so the travelers reached the other side of the country and came to another china wall.
It was not so high as the first, however, and by standing upon the Lion's back they all managed to scramble to the top. Then the Lion gathered his legs under him and jumped on the wall; but just as he jumped, he upset a china church with his tail and smashed it all to pieces.
Van Gogh Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting The Clown put his hands in his pockets, and after puffing out his cheeks and nodding his head at them saucily, he said:
"My lady fair,Why do you stareAt poor old Mr. Joker?You're quite as stiffAnd prim as ifYou'd eaten up a poker!"
"Be quiet, sir!" said the Princess. "Can't you see these are strangers, and should be treated with respect?"
"Well, that's respect, I expect," declared the Clown, and immediately stood upon his head.
Henri Matisse Painting
Oh, I don't mind him a bit," said Dorothy. "But you are so beautiful," she continued, "that I am sure I could love you dearly. Won't you let me carry you back to Kansas, and stand you on Aunt Em's mantel? I could carry you in my basket."
"That would make me very unhappy," answered the china Princess. "You see, here in our country we live contentedly, and can talk and move around as we please. But
Henri Matisse Painting
"My lady fair,Why do you stareAt poor old Mr. Joker?You're quite as stiffAnd prim as ifYou'd eaten up a poker!"
"Be quiet, sir!" said the Princess. "Can't you see these are strangers, and should be treated with respect?"
"Well, that's respect, I expect," declared the Clown, and immediately stood upon his head.
Henri Matisse Painting
Oh, I don't mind him a bit," said Dorothy. "But you are so beautiful," she continued, "that I am sure I could love you dearly. Won't you let me carry you back to Kansas, and stand you on Aunt Em's mantel? I could carry you in my basket."
"That would make me very unhappy," answered the china Princess. "You see, here in our country we live contentedly, and can talk and move around as we please. But
Henri Matisse Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Dorothy wanted to see more of the Princess, so she ran after her. But the china girl cried out:
"Don't chase me! Don't chase me!"
She had such a frightened little voice that Dorothy stopped and said, "Why not?"
"Because," answered the Princess, also stopping, a safe distance away, "if I run I may fall down and break myself."
"But could you not be mended?" asked the girl.
"Oh, yes; but one is never so pretty after being mended, you know," replied the Princess.
"I suppose not," said Dorothy.
Marc Chagall Painting
"Now there is Mr. Joker, one of our clowns," continued the china lady, "who is always trying to stand upon his head. He has broken himself so often that he is mended in a hundred places, and doesn't look at all pretty. Here he comes now, so you can see for yourself."
Indeed, a jolly little clown came walking toward them, and Dorothy could see that in spite of his pretty clothes of red and yellow and green he was completely covered with cracks, running every which way and showing plainly that he had been mended in many places.
Marc Chagall Painting
Dorothy wanted to see more of the Princess, so she ran after her. But the china girl cried out:
"Don't chase me! Don't chase me!"
She had such a frightened little voice that Dorothy stopped and said, "Why not?"
"Because," answered the Princess, also stopping, a safe distance away, "if I run I may fall down and break myself."
"But could you not be mended?" asked the girl.
"Oh, yes; but one is never so pretty after being mended, you know," replied the Princess.
"I suppose not," said Dorothy.
Marc Chagall Painting
"Now there is Mr. Joker, one of our clowns," continued the china lady, "who is always trying to stand upon his head. He has broken himself so often that he is mended in a hundred places, and doesn't look at all pretty. Here he comes now, so you can see for yourself."
Indeed, a jolly little clown came walking toward them, and Dorothy could see that in spite of his pretty clothes of red and yellow and green he was completely covered with cracks, running every which way and showing plainly that he had been mended in many places.
Marc Chagall Painting
William Bouguereau paintings
Bouguereau William his head and get the pins in their feet. When all were safely down they picked up the Scarecrow, whose body was quite flattened out, and patted his straw into shape again.
"We must cross this strange place in order to get to the other side," said Dorothy, "for it would be unwise for us to go any other way except due South."
They began walking through the country of the china people, and the first thing they came to was a china milkmaid milking a china cow. As they drew near, the cow suddenly gave a kick and kicked over the stool, the pail, and even the milkmaid herself, and all fell on the china ground with a great clatter.
Dorothy was shocked to see that the cow had broken her leg off, and that the pail was lying in several small pieces, while the poor milkmaid had a nick in her left elbow.
"We must cross this strange place in order to get to the other side," said Dorothy, "for it would be unwise for us to go any other way except due South."
William Bouguereau paintings
They began walking through the country of the china people, and the first thing they came to was a china milkmaid milking a china cow. As they drew near, the cow suddenly gave a kick and kicked over the stool, the pail, and even the milkmaid herself, and all fell on the china ground with a great clatter.
Dorothy was shocked to see that the cow had broken her leg off, and that the pail was lying in several small pieces, while the poor milkmaid had a nick in her left elbow.
William Bouguereau paintings
Gustav Klimt Painting
Gustav Klimt Painting
and princes with jeweled crowns upon their heads, wearing ermine robes and satin doublets; and funny clowns in ruffled gowns, with round red spots upon their cheeks and tall, pointed caps. And, strangest of all, these people were all made of china, even to their clothes, and were so small that the tallest of them was no higher than Dorothy's knee.
No one did so much as look at the travelers at first, except one little purple china dog with an extra-large head, which came to the wall and barked at them in a tiny voice, afterwards running away again.
Gustav Klimt Painting
"How shall we get down?" asked Dorothy.
They found the ladder so heavy they could not pull it up, so the Scarecrow fell off the wall and the others jumped down upon him so that the hard floor would not hurt their feet. Of course they took pains not to light on
Gustav Klimt Painting
and princes with jeweled crowns upon their heads, wearing ermine robes and satin doublets; and funny clowns in ruffled gowns, with round red spots upon their cheeks and tall, pointed caps. And, strangest of all, these people were all made of china, even to their clothes, and were so small that the tallest of them was no higher than Dorothy's knee.
No one did so much as look at the travelers at first, except one little purple china dog with an extra-large head, which came to the wall and barked at them in a tiny voice, afterwards running away again.
Gustav Klimt Painting
"How shall we get down?" asked Dorothy.
They found the ladder so heavy they could not pull it up, so the Scarecrow fell off the wall and the others jumped down upon him so that the hard floor would not hurt their feet. Of course they took pains not to light on
Gustav Klimt Painting
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Gustav Klimt The Kiss Before them was a great stretch of country having a floor as smooth and shining and white as the bottom of a big platter. Scattered around were many houses made entirely of china and painted in the brightest colors. These houses were quite small, the biggest of them reaching only
as high as Dorothy's waist. There were also pretty little barns, with china fences around them; and many cows and sheep and horses and pigs and chickens, all made of china, were standing about in groups.
But the strangest of all were the people who lived in this queer country. There were milkmaids and shepherdesses, with brightly colored bodices and golden spots all over their gowns; and princesses with most gorgeous frocks of silver and gold and purple; and shepherds dressed in knee breeches with pink and yellow and blue stripes down them, and golden buckles on their shoes
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
| William Bouguereau the first kiss Painting |
| gustav klimt the kiss painting |
as high as Dorothy's waist. There were also pretty little barns, with china fences around them; and many cows and sheep and horses and pigs and chickens, all made of china, were standing about in groups.
But the strangest of all were the people who lived in this queer country. There were milkmaids and shepherdesses, with brightly colored bodices and golden spots all over their gowns; and princesses with most gorgeous frocks of silver and gold and purple; and shepherds dressed in knee breeches with pink and yellow and blue stripes down them, and golden buckles on their shoes
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Art Gustav Klimt two girls with an oleander Painting
Gustav Klimt two girls with an oleander Painting
The four travelers walked with ease through the trees until they came to the farther edge of the wood. Then, to their surprise, they found before them a high wall which seemed to be made of white china. It was smooth, like the surface of a dish, and higher than their heads.
"What shall we do now?" asked Dorothy.
"I will make a ladder," said the Tin Woodman, "for we certainly must climb over the wall."
While the Woodman was making a ladder from wood which he found in the forest Dorothy lay down and slept, for she was tired by the long walk. The Lion also curled himself up to sleep and Toto lay beside him.
The Scarecrow watched the Woodman while he worked, and said to him:
"I cannot think why this wall is here, nor what it is made of."
"Rest your brains and do not worry about the wall," replied the Woodman. "When we have climbed
Art Painting
The four travelers walked with ease through the trees until they came to the farther edge of the wood. Then, to their surprise, they found before them a high wall which seemed to be made of white china. It was smooth, like the surface of a dish, and higher than their heads.
"What shall we do now?" asked Dorothy.
"I will make a ladder," said the Tin Woodman, "for we certainly must climb over the wall."
While the Woodman was making a ladder from wood which he found in the forest Dorothy lay down and slept, for she was tired by the long walk. The Lion also curled himself up to sleep and Toto lay beside him.
The Scarecrow watched the Woodman while he worked, and said to him:
"I cannot think why this wall is here, nor what it is made of."
"Rest your brains and do not worry about the wall," replied the Woodman. "When we have climbed
Art Painting
Modern Art Painting
Modern Art Painting
over it, we shall know what is on the other side."
After a time the ladder was finished. It looked clumsy, but the Tin Woodman was sure it was strong and would answer their purpose. The Scarecrow waked Dorothy and the Lion and Toto, and told them that the ladder was ready. The Scarecrow climbed up the ladder first, but he was so awkward that Dorothy had to follow close behind and keep him from falling off. When he got his head over the top of the wall the Scarecrow said, "Oh, my!"
"Go on," exclaimed Dorothy
Modern Art Painting
So the Scarecrow climbed farther up and sat down on the top of the wall, and Dorothy put her head over and cried, "Oh, my!" just as the Scarecrow had done.
Then Toto came up, and immediately began to bark, but Dorothy made him be still.
The Lion climbed the ladder next, and the Tin Woodman came last; but both of them cried, "Oh, my!" as soon as they looked over the wall. When they were all sitting in a row on the top of the wall, they looked down and saw a strange sight.
Modern Art Painting
over it, we shall know what is on the other side."
After a time the ladder was finished. It looked clumsy, but the Tin Woodman was sure it was strong and would answer their purpose. The Scarecrow waked Dorothy and the Lion and Toto, and told them that the ladder was ready. The Scarecrow climbed up the ladder first, but he was so awkward that Dorothy had to follow close behind and keep him from falling off. When he got his head over the top of the wall the Scarecrow said, "Oh, my!"
"Go on," exclaimed Dorothy
Modern Art Painting
So the Scarecrow climbed farther up and sat down on the top of the wall, and Dorothy put her head over and cried, "Oh, my!" just as the Scarecrow had done.
Then Toto came up, and immediately began to bark, but Dorothy made him be still.
The Lion climbed the ladder next, and the Tin Woodman came last; but both of them cried, "Oh, my!" as soon as they looked over the wall. When they were all sitting in a row on the top of the wall, they looked down and saw a strange sight.
Modern Art Painting
Abstract Painting -The Three Ages of Woman
Abstract Painting
showed itself over the rock and the same voice said, "This hill belongs to us, and we don't allow anyone to cross it."
"But we must cross it," said the Scarecrow. "We're going to the country of the Quadlings."
"But you shall not!" replied the voice, and there stepped from behind the rock the strangest man the travelers had ever seen.
The Three Ages of Woman
He was quite short and stout and had a big head, which was flat at the top and supported by a thick neck full of wrinkles. But he had no arms at all, and, seeing this, the Scarecrow did not fear that so helpless a creature could prevent them from climbing the hill. So he said, "I'm sorry not to do as you wish, but we must pass over your hill whether you like it or not," and he walked boldly forward.
Abstract Painting
showed itself over the rock and the same voice said, "This hill belongs to us, and we don't allow anyone to cross it."
"But we must cross it," said the Scarecrow. "We're going to the country of the Quadlings."
"But you shall not!" replied the voice, and there stepped from behind the rock the strangest man the travelers had ever seen.
The Three Ages of Woman
He was quite short and stout and had a big head, which was flat at the top and supported by a thick neck full of wrinkles. But he had no arms at all, and, seeing this, the Scarecrow did not fear that so helpless a creature could prevent them from climbing the hill. So he said, "I'm sorry not to do as you wish, but we must pass over your hill whether you like it or not," and he walked boldly forward.
Abstract Painting
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus "There!" cried the milkmaid angrily. "See what you have done! My cow has broken her leg, and I must take her to the mender's shop and have it glued on again. What do you mean by coming here and frightening my cow?"
"I'm very sorry," returned Dorothy. "Please forgive us."
But the pretty milkmaid was much too vexed to make any answer. She picked up the leg sulkily and led her cow away, the poor animal limping on three legs. As she left them the milkmaid cast many reproachful glances
The Birth of Venus
over her shoulder at the clumsy strangers, holding her nicked elbow close to her side.
Dorothy was quite grieved at this mishap.
"We must be very careful here," said the kind-hearted Woodman, "or we may hurt these pretty little people so they will never get over it."
A little farther on Dorothy met a most beautifully dressed young Princess, who stopped short as she saw the strangers and started to run away.
The Birth of Venus
"I'm very sorry," returned Dorothy. "Please forgive us."
But the pretty milkmaid was much too vexed to make any answer. She picked up the leg sulkily and led her cow away, the poor animal limping on three legs. As she left them the milkmaid cast many reproachful glances
The Birth of Venus
over her shoulder at the clumsy strangers, holding her nicked elbow close to her side.
Dorothy was quite grieved at this mishap.
"We must be very careful here," said the kind-hearted Woodman, "or we may hurt these pretty little people so they will never get over it."
A little farther on Dorothy met a most beautifully dressed young Princess, who stopped short as she saw the strangers and started to run away.
The Birth of Venus
Famous painting
Famous painting and shouldering his axe, he marched up to the first tree that had handled the Scarecrow so roughly. When a big branch bent down to seize him the Woodman chopped at it so fiercely that he cut it in two. At once the tree began shaking all its branches as if in pain, and the Tin Woodman passed safely under it.
"Come on!" he shouted to the others. "Be quick!" They all ran forward and passed under the tree without injury, except Toto, who was caught by a small branch and shaken until he howled. But the Woodman promptly chopped off the branch and set the little dog free.
Famous painting
The other trees of the forest did nothing to keep them back, so they made up their minds that only the first row of trees could bend down their branches, and that probably these were the policemen of the forest, and given this wonderful power in order to keep strangers out of it.
Famous painting
"Come on!" he shouted to the others. "Be quick!" They all ran forward and passed under the tree without injury, except Toto, who was caught by a small branch and shaken until he howled. But the Woodman promptly chopped off the branch and set the little dog free.
Famous painting
The other trees of the forest did nothing to keep them back, so they made up their minds that only the first row of trees could bend down their branches, and that probably these were the policemen of the forest, and given this wonderful power in order to keep strangers out of it.
Famous painting
Famous artist painting
Famous artist painting
This did not hurt the Scarecrow, but it surprised him, and he looked rather dizzy when Dorothy picked him up.
"Here is another space between the trees," called the Lion.
"Let me try it first," said the Scarecrow, "for it doesn't hurt me to get thrown about." He walked up to another tree, as he spoke, but its branches immediately seized him and tossed him back again.
Famous artist painting
This is strange," exclaimed Dorothy. "What shall we do?"
"The trees seem to have made up their minds to fight us, and stop our journey," remarked the Lion.
"I believe I will try it myself," said the WoodmanFamous artist painting
This did not hurt the Scarecrow, but it surprised him, and he looked rather dizzy when Dorothy picked him up.
"Here is another space between the trees," called the Lion.
"Let me try it first," said the Scarecrow, "for it doesn't hurt me to get thrown about." He walked up to another tree, as he spoke, but its branches immediately seized him and tossed him back again.
Famous artist painting
This is strange," exclaimed Dorothy. "What shall we do?"
"The trees seem to have made up their minds to fight us, and stop our journey," remarked the Lion.
"I believe I will try it myself," said the WoodmanFamous artist painting
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Abstract Painting The Three Ages of Woman
Abstract Painting
The weighty business of dressing began, and one courtier after another knelt and paid his court and offered to the little king his condolences upon his heavy loss, while the dressing proceeded. In the beginning, a shirt was taken up by the Chief Equerry in Waiting, who passed it to the First Lord of the Buckhounds, who passed it to the Second Gentleman of the Bedchamber, who passed it to the Head Ranger of Windsor Forest, who passed it to the Third Groom of the Stole
The Three Ages of Woman
who passed it to the Chancellor Royal of the Duchy of Lancaster, who passed it to the Master of the Wardrobe, who passed it to Norroy King-at-Arms, who passed it to the Constable of the Tower, who passed it to the Chief Steward of the Household, who passed it to the Hereditary Grand Diaperer, who passed it to the Lord High Admiral of England, who passed it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who passed it to the First Lord of the Bedchamber, who took what was left of it and put it on Tom. Poor little wondering chap, it reminded him of passing buckets at a fire.
Abstract Painting
The weighty business of dressing began, and one courtier after another knelt and paid his court and offered to the little king his condolences upon his heavy loss, while the dressing proceeded. In the beginning, a shirt was taken up by the Chief Equerry in Waiting, who passed it to the First Lord of the Buckhounds, who passed it to the Second Gentleman of the Bedchamber, who passed it to the Head Ranger of Windsor Forest, who passed it to the Third Groom of the Stole
The Three Ages of Woman
who passed it to the Chancellor Royal of the Duchy of Lancaster, who passed it to the Master of the Wardrobe, who passed it to Norroy King-at-Arms, who passed it to the Constable of the Tower, who passed it to the Chief Steward of the Household, who passed it to the Hereditary Grand Diaperer, who passed it to the Lord High Admiral of England, who passed it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who passed it to the First Lord of the Bedchamber, who took what was left of it and put it on Tom. Poor little wondering chap, it reminded him of passing buckets at a fire.
Abstract Painting
van gogh sunflower
van gogh sunflower
"Thousand deaths! "twas done to deceive me-"tis plain "twas done to gain time. Hark ye! Was that youth alone?"
"All alone, your worship."
"Art sure?"
"Sure, your worship."
"Collect thy scattered wits-bethink thee-take time, man."
After a moment's thought, the servant said
van gogh sunflower
When he came, none came with him; but now I remember me that as the two stepped into the throng of the Bridge, a ruffian-looking man plunged out from some near place; and just as he was joining them-"
"What then?-out with it!" thundered the impatient Hendon, interrupting.van gogh sunflower
"Thousand deaths! "twas done to deceive me-"tis plain "twas done to gain time. Hark ye! Was that youth alone?"
"All alone, your worship."
"Art sure?"
"Sure, your worship."
"Collect thy scattered wits-bethink thee-take time, man."
After a moment's thought, the servant said
van gogh sunflower
When he came, none came with him; but now I remember me that as the two stepped into the throng of the Bridge, a ruffian-looking man plunged out from some near place; and just as he was joining them-"
"What then?-out with it!" thundered the impatient Hendon, interrupting.van gogh sunflower
Van Gogh Painting
Van Gogh Painting In disjointed and trembling syllables the man gave the information desired.
"You were hardly gone from the place, your worship, when a youth came running and said it was your worship's will that the boy come to you straight, at the bridge-end on the Southwark side. I brought him thither; and when he woke the lad and gave his message, the lad did grumble some little for being disturbed 'so early," as he called it, but straightway trussed on his rags and went with the youth, only saying it had been better manners that your worship came yourself, not sent a stranger-and so-"
Van Gogh Painting
"And so thou"rt a fool!-a fool, and easily cozened-hang all thy breed! Yet mayhap no hurt is done. Possibly no harm is meant the boy. I will go fetch him. Make the table ready. Stay! the coverings of the bed were disposed as if one lay beneath them-happened that by accident?"
"I know not, good your worship. I saw the youth meddle with them-he that came for the boy."
Van Gogh Painting
"You were hardly gone from the place, your worship, when a youth came running and said it was your worship's will that the boy come to you straight, at the bridge-end on the Southwark side. I brought him thither; and when he woke the lad and gave his message, the lad did grumble some little for being disturbed 'so early," as he called it, but straightway trussed on his rags and went with the youth, only saying it had been better manners that your worship came yourself, not sent a stranger-and so-"
Van Gogh Painting
"And so thou"rt a fool!-a fool, and easily cozened-hang all thy breed! Yet mayhap no hurt is done. Possibly no harm is meant the boy. I will go fetch him. Make the table ready. Stay! the coverings of the bed were disposed as if one lay beneath them-happened that by accident?"
"I know not, good your worship. I saw the youth meddle with them-he that came for the boy."
Van Gogh Painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Mary Cassatt painting
No! by book and bell, not lost! Not lost, for I will ransack the land till I find thee again. Poor child, yonder is his breakfast-and mine, but I have no hunger now-so, let the rats have it-speed, speed! that is the word!" As he wormed his swift way through the noisy multitudes upon the Bridge, he several times said to himself-clinging to the thought as if it were a particularly pleasing one: "He grumbled but he went-he went, yes, because he thought Miles Hendon asked it, sweet lad-he would ne"er have done it for another, I know it well!"
Mary Cassatt painting
Toward daylight of the same morning, Tom Canty stirred out of a heavy sleep and opened his eyes in the dark. He lay silent a few moments, trying to analyze his confused thoughts and impressions, and get some sort of meaning out of them, then suddenly he burst out in a rapturous but guarded voice
Mary Cassatt painting
No! by book and bell, not lost! Not lost, for I will ransack the land till I find thee again. Poor child, yonder is his breakfast-and mine, but I have no hunger now-so, let the rats have it-speed, speed! that is the word!" As he wormed his swift way through the noisy multitudes upon the Bridge, he several times said to himself-clinging to the thought as if it were a particularly pleasing one: "He grumbled but he went-he went, yes, because he thought Miles Hendon asked it, sweet lad-he would ne"er have done it for another, I know it well!"
Mary Cassatt painting
Toward daylight of the same morning, Tom Canty stirred out of a heavy sleep and opened his eyes in the dark. He lay silent a few moments, trying to analyze his confused thoughts and impressions, and get some sort of meaning out of them, then suddenly he burst out in a rapturous but guarded voice
Mary Cassatt painting
Edward Hopper Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
Just then the crowd lapped them up and closed them in, and I saw no more, being called by my master, who was in a rage because a joint that the scrivener had ordered was forgot, though I take all the saints to witness that to blame me for that miscarriage were like holding the unborn babe to judgment for sins com-"
"Out of my sight, idiot! Thy prating drives me mad! Hold! whither art flying? Canst not bide still an instant? Went they toward Southwark?"
Edward Hopper Painting
"Even so, your worship-for, as I said before, as to that detestable joint, the babe unborn is no whit more blameless than-"
"Art here yet! And prating still? Vanish, lest I throttle thee!" The servitor vanished. Hendon followed after him, passed him, and plunged down the stairs two steps at a stride, muttering, "'Tis that scurvy villain that claimed he was his son. I have lost thee, my poor little mad master-it is a bitter thought-and I had come to love thee so!
Edward Hopper Painting
Just then the crowd lapped them up and closed them in, and I saw no more, being called by my master, who was in a rage because a joint that the scrivener had ordered was forgot, though I take all the saints to witness that to blame me for that miscarriage were like holding the unborn babe to judgment for sins com-"
"Out of my sight, idiot! Thy prating drives me mad! Hold! whither art flying? Canst not bide still an instant? Went they toward Southwark?"
Edward Hopper Painting
"Even so, your worship-for, as I said before, as to that detestable joint, the babe unborn is no whit more blameless than-"
"Art here yet! And prating still? Vanish, lest I throttle thee!" The servitor vanished. Hendon followed after him, passed him, and plunged down the stairs two steps at a stride, muttering, "'Tis that scurvy villain that claimed he was his son. I have lost thee, my poor little mad master-it is a bitter thought-and I had come to love thee so!
Edward Hopper Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
Marry, "tis done-a goodly piece of work, too, and wrought with expedition. Now will I wake him, apparel him, pour for him, feed him, and then will we hie us to the mart by the Tabard inn in Southwark and-be pleased to rise, my liege!-he answereth not-what ho, my liege!-of a truth must I profane his sacred person with a touch, sith his slumber is deaf to speech. What!"
He threw back the covers-the boy was gone!
Henri Matisse Painting
He stared about him in speechless astonishment for a moment; noticed for the first time that his ward's ragged raiment was also missing, then he began to rage and storm, and shout for the inn-keeper. At that moment a servant entered with the breakfast.
"Explain, thou limb of Satan, or thy time is come! "roared the man of war, and made so savage a spring toward the waiter that this latter could not find his tongue, for the instant, for fright and surprise. "Where is the boy?"
Henri Matisse Painting
Marry, "tis done-a goodly piece of work, too, and wrought with expedition. Now will I wake him, apparel him, pour for him, feed him, and then will we hie us to the mart by the Tabard inn in Southwark and-be pleased to rise, my liege!-he answereth not-what ho, my liege!-of a truth must I profane his sacred person with a touch, sith his slumber is deaf to speech. What!"
He threw back the covers-the boy was gone!
Henri Matisse Painting
He stared about him in speechless astonishment for a moment; noticed for the first time that his ward's ragged raiment was also missing, then he began to rage and storm, and shout for the inn-keeper. At that moment a servant entered with the breakfast.
"Explain, thou limb of Satan, or thy time is come! "roared the man of war, and made so savage a spring toward the waiter that this latter could not find his tongue, for the instant, for fright and surprise. "Where is the boy?"
Henri Matisse Painting
William Bouguereau paintings
William Bouguereau paintings
The king was back in dreamland before this speech was ended. Miles slipped softly out, and slipped as softly in again, in the course of thirty or forty minutes, with a complete second-hand suit of boy's clothing, of cheap material, and showing signs of wear; but tidy, and suited to the season of the year. He seated himself and began to overhaul his purchase, mumbling to himself:
"A longer purse would have got a better sort, but when one has not the long purse one must be content with what a short one may do-
William Bouguereau paintings
"'There was a woman in our town,In our town did dwell"-
"He stirred, methinks-I must sing in a less thunderous key; "tis not good to mar his sleep, with this journey before him and he so wearied out, poorchap.... This garment-"tis well enough-a stitch here and another one there will set it aright. This other is better, albeit a stitch or two will not come amiss in it, likewise.... These be very good and sound, and will keep his small feet warm and dry-an odd new thing to him, belike, since he has doubtless been used to foot it bare, winters and summers the same.... Bouguereau William
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus
Would thread were bread, seeing one getteth a year's sufficiency for a farthing, and such a brave big needle without cost, for mere love. Now shall I have the demon's own time to thread it!"
And so he had. He did as men have always done, and probably always will do, to the end of time-held the needle still, and tried to thrust the thread through the eye, which is the opposite of a woman's way. Time and time again the thread missed the mark
The Birth of Venus
going sometimes on one side of the needle, sometimes on the other, sometimes doubling up against the shaft; but he was patient, having been through these experiences before, when he was soldiering. He succeeded at last, and took up the garment that had lain waiting, meantime, across his lap, and began his work.
The Birth of Venus
Would thread were bread, seeing one getteth a year's sufficiency for a farthing, and such a brave big needle without cost, for mere love. Now shall I have the demon's own time to thread it!"
And so he had. He did as men have always done, and probably always will do, to the end of time-held the needle still, and tried to thrust the thread through the eye, which is the opposite of a woman's way. Time and time again the thread missed the mark
The Birth of Venus
going sometimes on one side of the needle, sometimes on the other, sometimes doubling up against the shaft; but he was patient, having been through these experiences before, when he was soldiering. He succeeded at last, and took up the garment that had lain waiting, meantime, across his lap, and began his work.
The Birth of Venus
Gustav Klimt Painting
Gustav Klimt Painting
"Thou wilt sleep athwart the door, and guard it." In a moment more he was out of his troubles, in a deep slumber.
"Dear heart, he should have been born a king!" muttered Hendon, admiringly, "he playeth the part to a marvel."
Then he stretched himself across the door, on the floor, saying contentedly:
"I have lodged worse for seven years; "twould be but ill gratitude to Him above to find fault with this."
Gustav Klimt Painting
He dropped asleep as the dawn appeared. Toward noon he rose, uncovered his unconscious ward-a section at a time-and took his measure with a string. The king awoke, just as he had completed his work, complained of the cold, and asked what he was doing.
"'Tis done now, my liege," said Hendon; "I have a bit of business outside, but will presently return; sleep thou again-thou needest it. There-let me cover thy head also-thou"lt be warm the sooner."
Gustav Klimt Painting
"Thou wilt sleep athwart the door, and guard it." In a moment more he was out of his troubles, in a deep slumber.
"Dear heart, he should have been born a king!" muttered Hendon, admiringly, "he playeth the part to a marvel."
Then he stretched himself across the door, on the floor, saying contentedly:
"I have lodged worse for seven years; "twould be but ill gratitude to Him above to find fault with this."
Gustav Klimt Painting
He dropped asleep as the dawn appeared. Toward noon he rose, uncovered his unconscious ward-a section at a time-and took his measure with a string. The king awoke, just as he had completed his work, complained of the cold, and asked what he was doing.
"'Tis done now, my liege," said Hendon; "I have a bit of business outside, but will presently return; sleep thou again-thou needest it. There-let me cover thy head also-thou"lt be warm the sooner."
Gustav Klimt Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Marc Chagall Painting The inn is paid-the breakfast that is to come, included-and there is wherewithal left to buy a couple of donkeys and meet our little costs for the two or three days betwixt this and the plenty that awaits us at Hendon Hall-
"'She loved her hus'-
"Body o' me! I have driven the needle under my nail!... It matters little-"tis not a novelty-yet "tis not a convenience, neither.... We shall be merry there, little one, never doubt it! Thy troubles will vanish there, and likewise thy sad distemper-
Marc Chagall Painting
"'She loved her husband dearilee,But another man'-
"These be noble large stitches!"-holding the garment up and viewing it admiringly-"they have a grandeur and a majesty that do cause these small stingy ones of the tailor-man to look mighty paltry and plebeian-
"'She loved her husband dearilee,But another man he loved she,"-
Marc Chagall Painting
"'She loved her hus'-
"Body o' me! I have driven the needle under my nail!... It matters little-"tis not a novelty-yet "tis not a convenience, neither.... We shall be merry there, little one, never doubt it! Thy troubles will vanish there, and likewise thy sad distemper-
Marc Chagall Painting
"'She loved her husband dearilee,But another man'-
"These be noble large stitches!"-holding the garment up and viewing it admiringly-"they have a grandeur and a majesty that do cause these small stingy ones of the tailor-man to look mighty paltry and plebeian-
"'She loved her husband dearilee,But another man he loved she,"-
Marc Chagall Painting
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
will not laugh-no, God forbid, for this thing which is so substanceless to me is real to him. And to me, also, in one way, it is not a falsity, for it reflects with truth the sweet and generous spirit that is in him." After a pause: "Ah, what if he should call me by my fine title before folk!-there"d be a merry contrast betwixt my glory and my raiment! But no matter; let him call me what he will, so it please him; I shall be content."
A heavy drowsiness presently fell upon the two comrades. The king said:
"Remove these rags"-meaning his clothing.
Hendon disappareled the boy without dissent or remark, tucked him up in bed, then glanced about the room, saying to himself, ruefully, "He hath taken my bed again, as before-marry, what shall I do?" The little king observed his perplexity, and dissipated it with a word. He said, sleepilyGustav Klimt The Kiss
will not laugh-no, God forbid, for this thing which is so substanceless to me is real to him. And to me, also, in one way, it is not a falsity, for it reflects with truth the sweet and generous spirit that is in him." After a pause: "Ah, what if he should call me by my fine title before folk!-there"d be a merry contrast betwixt my glory and my raiment! But no matter; let him call me what he will, so it please him; I shall be content."
| William Bouguereau the first kiss Painting |
| gustav klimt the kiss painting |
A heavy drowsiness presently fell upon the two comrades. The king said:
"Remove these rags"-meaning his clothing.
Hendon disappareled the boy without dissent or remark, tucked him up in bed, then glanced about the room, saying to himself, ruefully, "He hath taken my bed again, as before-marry, what shall I do?" The little king observed his perplexity, and dissipated it with a word. He said, sleepilyGustav Klimt The Kiss
Modern Art Painting
Modern Art Painting
"Rise, Sir Miles Hendon, knight," said the king, gravely-giving the accolade with Hendon's sword-"rise, and seat thyself. Thy petition is granted. While England remains, and the crown continues, the privilege shall not lapse
Modern Art Painting
His majesty walked apart, musing, and Hendon dropped into a chair at table, observing to himself, "'Twas a brave thought, and hath wrought me a mighty deliverance; my legs are grievously wearied. An I had not thought of that, I must have had to stand for weeks, till my poor lad's wits are cured." After a little he went on, "And so I am become a knight of the Kingdom of Dreams and Shadows! A most odd and strange position, truly, for one so matter-of-fact as I
Modern Art Painting
"Rise, Sir Miles Hendon, knight," said the king, gravely-giving the accolade with Hendon's sword-"rise, and seat thyself. Thy petition is granted. While England remains, and the crown continues, the privilege shall not lapse
Modern Art Painting
His majesty walked apart, musing, and Hendon dropped into a chair at table, observing to himself, "'Twas a brave thought, and hath wrought me a mighty deliverance; my legs are grievously wearied. An I had not thought of that, I must have had to stand for weeks, till my poor lad's wits are cured." After a little he went on, "And so I am become a knight of the Kingdom of Dreams and Shadows! A most odd and strange position, truly, for one so matter-of-fact as I
Modern Art Painting
Rembrandt Painting
Rembrandt Painting
In his dream he reached his sordid home all out of breath, but with eyes dancing with grateful enthusiasm; cast four of his pennies into his mother's lap and cried out:
"They are for thee!-all of them, every one!-for thee and Nan and Bet-and honestly come by, not begged nor stolen!"
The happy and astonished mother strained him to her breast and exclaimed:
"It waxeth late-may it please your majesty to rise?"
Rembrandt Painting
Ah, that was not the answer he was expecting. The dream had snapped asunder-he was awake.
He opened his eyes-the richly clad First Lord of the Bedchamber was kneeling by his couch. The gladness of the lying dream faded away-the poor boy recognized that he was still a captive and a king. The room was filled with courtiers clothed in purple mantles-the mourning color-and with noble servants of the monarch. Tom sat up in bed and gazed out from the heavy silken curtains upon this fine company.
Rembrandt Painting
In his dream he reached his sordid home all out of breath, but with eyes dancing with grateful enthusiasm; cast four of his pennies into his mother's lap and cried out:
"They are for thee!-all of them, every one!-for thee and Nan and Bet-and honestly come by, not begged nor stolen!"
The happy and astonished mother strained him to her breast and exclaimed:
"It waxeth late-may it please your majesty to rise?"
Rembrandt Painting
Ah, that was not the answer he was expecting. The dream had snapped asunder-he was awake.
He opened his eyes-the richly clad First Lord of the Bedchamber was kneeling by his couch. The gladness of the lying dream faded away-the poor boy recognized that he was still a captive and a king. The room was filled with courtiers clothed in purple mantles-the mourning color-and with noble servants of the monarch. Tom sat up in bed and gazed out from the heavy silken curtains upon this fine company.
Rembrandt Painting
The Singing Butler
The Singing Butler
Tom slept again, and after a time he had this pleasant dream. He thought it was summer and he was playing, all alone, in the fair meadow called Goodman's Fields, when a dwarf only a foot high, with long red whiskers and a humped back, appeared to him suddenly and said, "Dig, by that stump." He did so, and found twelve bright new pennies-wonderful riches! Yet this was not the best of it; for the dwarf said:
"I know thee. Thou art a good lad and deserving; thy distresses shall end, for the day of thy reward is come.
The Singing Butler
Dig here every seventh day, and thou shalt find always the same treasure, twelve bright new pennies. Tell none-keep the secret."
Then the dwarf vanished, and Tom flew to Offal Court with his prize, saying to himself, "Every night will I give my father a penny; he will think I begged it, it will glad his heart, and I shall no more be beaten. One penny every week the good priest that teacheth me shall have; mother, Nan, and Bet the other four. We be done with hunger and rags now, done with fears and frets and savage usage."
The Singing Butler
Tom slept again, and after a time he had this pleasant dream. He thought it was summer and he was playing, all alone, in the fair meadow called Goodman's Fields, when a dwarf only a foot high, with long red whiskers and a humped back, appeared to him suddenly and said, "Dig, by that stump." He did so, and found twelve bright new pennies-wonderful riches! Yet this was not the best of it; for the dwarf said:
"I know thee. Thou art a good lad and deserving; thy distresses shall end, for the day of thy reward is come.
The Singing Butler
Dig here every seventh day, and thou shalt find always the same treasure, twelve bright new pennies. Tell none-keep the secret."
Then the dwarf vanished, and Tom flew to Offal Court with his prize, saying to himself, "Every night will I give my father a penny; he will think I begged it, it will glad his heart, and I shall no more be beaten. One penny every week the good priest that teacheth me shall have; mother, Nan, and Bet the other four. We be done with hunger and rags now, done with fears and frets and savage usage."
The Singing Butler
Jack Vettriano Painting
Jack Vettriano Painting
"I see it all, I see it all! Now God be thanked, I am, indeed, awake at last! Come, joy! vanish, sorrow! Ho, Nan! Bet! kick off your straw and hie ye hither to my side, till I do pour into your unbelieving ears the wildest madcap dream that ever the spirits of night did conjure up to astonish the soul of man withal!... Ho, Nan, I say! Bet!"...
A dim form appeared at his side, and a voice said:
Jack Vettriano Painting
"Wilt deign to deliver thy commands?"
"Commands?... Oh, woe is me, I know thy voice! Speak, thou-who am I?"
"Thou? In sooth, yesternight wert thou the Prince of Wales, to-day art thou my most gracious liege, Edward, king of England."
Tom buried his head among his pillows, murmuring plaintively:
"Alack, it was no dream! Go to thy rest, sweet sir-leave me to my sorrows
Jack Vettriano Painting
"I see it all, I see it all! Now God be thanked, I am, indeed, awake at last! Come, joy! vanish, sorrow! Ho, Nan! Bet! kick off your straw and hie ye hither to my side, till I do pour into your unbelieving ears the wildest madcap dream that ever the spirits of night did conjure up to astonish the soul of man withal!... Ho, Nan, I say! Bet!"...
A dim form appeared at his side, and a voice said:
Jack Vettriano Painting
"Wilt deign to deliver thy commands?"
"Commands?... Oh, woe is me, I know thy voice! Speak, thou-who am I?"
"Thou? In sooth, yesternight wert thou the Prince of Wales, to-day art thou my most gracious liege, Edward, king of England."
Tom buried his head among his pillows, murmuring plaintively:
"Alack, it was no dream! Go to thy rest, sweet sir-leave me to my sorrows
Jack Vettriano Painting
Gustav Klimt two girls with an oleander Painting
Gustav Klimt two girls with an oleander Painting
whereat De Courcy, kneeling, as I do now, made answerer, "This, then, I ask, my liege; that I and my successors may have and hold the privilege of remaining covered in the presence of the kings of England, henceforth while the throne shall last." The boon was granted, as your majesty knoweth; and there hath been no time, these four hundred years, that that line has failed of an heir; and so, even unto this day, the head of that ancient house still weareth his hat or helm before the king's majesty, without let or hindrance
and this none other may do. Invoking this precedent in aid of my prayer, I beseech the king to grant to me but this one grace and privilege-to my more than sufficient reward-and none other, to wit: that I and my heirs, forever, may sit in the presence of the majesty of England!"
Art Painting
whereat De Courcy, kneeling, as I do now, made answerer, "This, then, I ask, my liege; that I and my successors may have and hold the privilege of remaining covered in the presence of the kings of England, henceforth while the throne shall last." The boon was granted, as your majesty knoweth; and there hath been no time, these four hundred years, that that line has failed of an heir; and so, even unto this day, the head of that ancient house still weareth his hat or helm before the king's majesty, without let or hindrance
and this none other may do. Invoking this precedent in aid of my prayer, I beseech the king to grant to me but this one grace and privilege-to my more than sufficient reward-and none other, to wit: that I and my heirs, forever, may sit in the presence of the majesty of England!"
Art Painting
Famous painting
Famous painting
and so settle the dispute by what is called the arbitrament of God. These two kings, and the Spanish king, being assembled to witness and judge the conflict, the French champion appeared; but so redoubtable was he that our English knights refused to measure weapons with him. So the matter, which was a weighty one, was like to go against the English monarch by default. Now in the Tower lay the Lord de Courcy
Famous painting
the mightiest arm in England, stripped of his honors and possessions, and wasting with long captivity. Appeal was made to him; he gave assent, and came forth arrayed for battle; but no sooner did the Frenchman glimpse his huge frame and hear his famous name but he fled away, and the French king's cause was lost. King John restored De Courcy's titles and possessions, and said, "Name thy wish and thou shalt have it, though it cost me half my kingdomFamous painting
and so settle the dispute by what is called the arbitrament of God. These two kings, and the Spanish king, being assembled to witness and judge the conflict, the French champion appeared; but so redoubtable was he that our English knights refused to measure weapons with him. So the matter, which was a weighty one, was like to go against the English monarch by default. Now in the Tower lay the Lord de Courcy
Famous painting
the mightiest arm in England, stripped of his honors and possessions, and wasting with long captivity. Appeal was made to him; he gave assent, and came forth arrayed for battle; but no sooner did the Frenchman glimpse his huge frame and hear his famous name but he fled away, and the French king's cause was lost. King John restored De Courcy's titles and possessions, and said, "Name thy wish and thou shalt have it, though it cost me half my kingdomFamous painting
Famous artist painting
Famous artist painting
Miles reflected during some moments, then said to himself, "Yes, that is the thing to do-by any other means it were impossible to get at it-and certes, this hour's experience has taught me "twould be most wearing and inconvenient to continue it as it is. Yes, I will propose it; "twas a happy accident that I did not throw the chance away." Then he dropped upon one knee and said
Famous artist painting
"My poor service went not beyond the limit of a subject's simple duty, and therefore hath no merit; but since your majesty is pleased to hold it worthy some reward, I take heart of grace to make petition to this effect. Near four hundred years ago, as your grace knoweth, there being ill blood betwixt John, king of England, and the king of France, it was decreed that two champions should fight together in the listsFamous artist painting
Miles reflected during some moments, then said to himself, "Yes, that is the thing to do-by any other means it were impossible to get at it-and certes, this hour's experience has taught me "twould be most wearing and inconvenient to continue it as it is. Yes, I will propose it; "twas a happy accident that I did not throw the chance away." Then he dropped upon one knee and said
Famous artist painting
"My poor service went not beyond the limit of a subject's simple duty, and therefore hath no merit; but since your majesty is pleased to hold it worthy some reward, I take heart of grace to make petition to this effect. Near four hundred years ago, as your grace knoweth, there being ill blood betwixt John, king of England, and the king of France, it was decreed that two champions should fight together in the listsFamous artist painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
made whole and sound-then will he make himself a name-and proud shall I be to say, "Yes, he is mine-I took him, a homeless little ragamuffin, but I saw what was in him, and I said his name would be heard some day-behold him, observe him-was I right?'"
The king spoke-in a thoughtful, measured voice:
"Thou didst save me injury and shame, perchance my life, and so my crown. Such service demandeth rich reward. Name thy desire, and so it be within the compass of my royal power, it is thine."
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
This fantastic suggestion startled Hendon out of his reverie. He was about to thank the king and put the matter aside with saying he bad only done his duty and desired no reward, but a wiser thought came into his head, and he asked leave to be silent a few moments and consider the gracious offer-an idea which the king gravely approved, remarking that it was best to be not too hasty with a thing of such great import. Decorative painting
made whole and sound-then will he make himself a name-and proud shall I be to say, "Yes, he is mine-I took him, a homeless little ragamuffin, but I saw what was in him, and I said his name would be heard some day-behold him, observe him-was I right?'"
The king spoke-in a thoughtful, measured voice:
"Thou didst save me injury and shame, perchance my life, and so my crown. Such service demandeth rich reward. Name thy desire, and so it be within the compass of my royal power, it is thine."
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
This fantastic suggestion startled Hendon out of his reverie. He was about to thank the king and put the matter aside with saying he bad only done his duty and desired no reward, but a wiser thought came into his head, and he asked leave to be silent a few moments and consider the gracious offer-an idea which the king gravely approved, remarking that it was best to be not too hasty with a thing of such great import. Decorative painting
Abstract Painting The Three Ages of Woman
Abstract Painting
He closed his eyes, fell to mumbling, and presently was silent. After a time he opened his eyes again, and gazed vacantly around until his glance rested upon the kneeling Lord Chancellor. Instantly his face flushed with wrath:
"What, thou here yet! By the glory of God, an thou gettest not about that traitor's business, thy miter shall have holiday the morrow for lack of a head to grace withal!"
The trembling Chancellor answered:
The Three Ages of Woman
Good your majesty, I cry you mercy! I but waited for the Seal."
"Man, hast lost thy wits? The small Seal which aforetime I was wont to take with me abroad lieth in my treasury. And, since the Great Seal hath flown away, shall not it suffice? Hast lost thy wits? Begone! And hark ye-come no more till thou do bring his head."
Abstract Painting
He closed his eyes, fell to mumbling, and presently was silent. After a time he opened his eyes again, and gazed vacantly around until his glance rested upon the kneeling Lord Chancellor. Instantly his face flushed with wrath:
"What, thou here yet! By the glory of God, an thou gettest not about that traitor's business, thy miter shall have holiday the morrow for lack of a head to grace withal!"
The trembling Chancellor answered:
The Three Ages of Woman
Good your majesty, I cry you mercy! I but waited for the Seal."
"Man, hast lost thy wits? The small Seal which aforetime I was wont to take with me abroad lieth in my treasury. And, since the Great Seal hath flown away, shall not it suffice? Hast lost thy wits? Begone! And hark ye-come no more till thou do bring his head."
Abstract Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
We left John Canty dragging the rightful prince into Offal Court, with a noisy and delighted mob at his heels. There was but one person in it who offered a pleading word for the captive, and he was not heeded; he was hardly even heard, so great was the turmoil. The prince continued to struggle for freedom, and to rage against the treatment he was suffering, until John Canty lost what little patience was left in him, and raised his oaken cudgel in a sudden fury over the prince's head. The single pleader for the lad sprang to stop the man's arm, and the blow descended upon his own wrist. Canty roared out:
Marc Chagall Painting
Thou"lt meddle, wilt thou? Then have thy reward."
His cudgel crashed down upon the meddler's head; there was a groan, a dim form sank to the ground among the feet of the crowd, and the next moment it lay there in the dark alone. The mob pressed on, their enjoyment nothing disturbed by this episode.
Marc Chagall Painting
We left John Canty dragging the rightful prince into Offal Court, with a noisy and delighted mob at his heels. There was but one person in it who offered a pleading word for the captive, and he was not heeded; he was hardly even heard, so great was the turmoil. The prince continued to struggle for freedom, and to rage against the treatment he was suffering, until John Canty lost what little patience was left in him, and raised his oaken cudgel in a sudden fury over the prince's head. The single pleader for the lad sprang to stop the man's arm, and the blow descended upon his own wrist. Canty roared out:
Marc Chagall Painting
Thou"lt meddle, wilt thou? Then have thy reward."
His cudgel crashed down upon the meddler's head; there was a groan, a dim form sank to the ground among the feet of the crowd, and the next moment it lay there in the dark alone. The mob pressed on, their enjoyment nothing disturbed by this episode.
Marc Chagall Painting
The Singing Butler
The Singing Butler
"It grieveth me, my lord the king, to bear so heavy and unwelcome tidings; but it is the will of God that the prince's affliction abideth still, and he cannot recall to mind that he received the Seal. So came I quickly to report, thinking it were waste of precious time, and little worth withal, that any should attempt to search the long array of chambers and saloons that belong unto his royal high-"
The Singing Butler
A groan from the king interrupted my lord at this point. After a while his majesty said, with a deep sadness in his tone:
"Trouble him no more, poor child. The hand of God lieth heavy upon him, and my heart goeth out in loving compassion for him, and sorrow that I may not bear his burden on mine own old trouble-weighted shoulders, and so bring him peace." The Singing Butler
"It grieveth me, my lord the king, to bear so heavy and unwelcome tidings; but it is the will of God that the prince's affliction abideth still, and he cannot recall to mind that he received the Seal. So came I quickly to report, thinking it were waste of precious time, and little worth withal, that any should attempt to search the long array of chambers and saloons that belong unto his royal high-"
The Singing Butler
A groan from the king interrupted my lord at this point. After a while his majesty said, with a deep sadness in his tone:
"Trouble him no more, poor child. The hand of God lieth heavy upon him, and my heart goeth out in loving compassion for him, and sorrow that I may not bear his burden on mine own old trouble-weighted shoulders, and so bring him peace." The Singing Butler
Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
He turned, doffed his plumed cap, bent his body in a low reverence, and began to step backward, bowing at each step. A prolonged trumpet-blast followed, and a proclamation, "Way for the high and mighty, the Lord Edward, Prince of Wales!" High aloft on the palace walls a long line of red tongues of flame leaped forth with a thunder-crash; the massed world on the river burst into a mighty roar of welcome; and Tom Canty, the cause and hero of it all, stepped into view, and slightly bowed his princely head.
Henri Matisse Painting
He was "magnificently habited in a doublet of white satin, with a front-piece of purple cloth-of-tissue, powdered with diamonds, and edged with ermine. Over this he wore a mantle of white cloth-of-gold, pounced with the triple-feather crest, lined with blue satin, set with pearls and precious stones, and fastened with a clasp of brilliants. About his neck hung the order of the Garter, and several princely foreign orders"; and wherever light fell upon him jewels responded with a blinding flash. O, Tom Canty, born in a hovel, bred in the gutters of London, familiar with rags and dirt and misery, what a spectacle is this!
Henri Matisse Painting
He turned, doffed his plumed cap, bent his body in a low reverence, and began to step backward, bowing at each step. A prolonged trumpet-blast followed, and a proclamation, "Way for the high and mighty, the Lord Edward, Prince of Wales!" High aloft on the palace walls a long line of red tongues of flame leaped forth with a thunder-crash; the massed world on the river burst into a mighty roar of welcome; and Tom Canty, the cause and hero of it all, stepped into view, and slightly bowed his princely head.
Henri Matisse Painting
He was "magnificently habited in a doublet of white satin, with a front-piece of purple cloth-of-tissue, powdered with diamonds, and edged with ermine. Over this he wore a mantle of white cloth-of-gold, pounced with the triple-feather crest, lined with blue satin, set with pearls and precious stones, and fastened with a clasp of brilliants. About his neck hung the order of the Garter, and several princely foreign orders"; and wherever light fell upon him jewels responded with a blinding flash. O, Tom Canty, born in a hovel, bred in the gutters of London, familiar with rags and dirt and misery, what a spectacle is this!
Henri Matisse Painting
Jack Vettriano Painting
Jack Vettriano Painting
The poor Chancellor was not long in removing himself from this dangerous vicinity; nor did the commission waste time in giving the royal assent to the work of the slavish Parliament, and appointing the morrow for the beheading of the premier peer of England, the luckless Duke of Norfolk
Jack Vettriano Painting
At nine in the evening the whole vast river-front of the palace was blazing with light. The river itself, as far as the eye could reach cityward, was so thickly covered with watermen's boats and with pleasure barges, all fringed with colored lanterns, and gently agitated by the waves, that it resembled a glowing and limitless garden of flowers stirred to soft motion by summer winds. The grand terrace of stone steps leading down to the water, spacious enough to mass the army of a German principality uponJack Vettriano Painting
The poor Chancellor was not long in removing himself from this dangerous vicinity; nor did the commission waste time in giving the royal assent to the work of the slavish Parliament, and appointing the morrow for the beheading of the premier peer of England, the luckless Duke of Norfolk
Jack Vettriano Painting
At nine in the evening the whole vast river-front of the palace was blazing with light. The river itself, as far as the eye could reach cityward, was so thickly covered with watermen's boats and with pleasure barges, all fringed with colored lanterns, and gently agitated by the waves, that it resembled a glowing and limitless garden of flowers stirred to soft motion by summer winds. The grand terrace of stone steps leading down to the water, spacious enough to mass the army of a German principality uponJack Vettriano Painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Mary Cassatt painting
was a picture to see, with its ranks of royal halberdiers in polished armor, and its troops of brilliantly costumed servitors flitting up and down, and to and fro, in the hurry of preparation.
Presently a command was given, and immediately all living creatures vanished from the steps. Now the air was heavy with the hush of suspense and expectancy. As far as one's vision could carry, he might see the myriads of people in the boats rise up, and shade their eyes from the glare of lanterns and torches, and gaze toward the palace.
Mary Cassatt painting
A file of forty or fifty state barges drew up to the steps. They were richly gilt, and their lofty prows and sterns were elaborately carved. Some of them were decorated with banners and streamers; some with cloth-of-gold and arras embroidered with coats of arms; others with silken flags that had numberless little silver bells fastened to them, which shook out tiny showers of joyous music whenever the breezes fluttered them; others of yet higher pretensions, since they belonged to nobles in the prince's immediate serviceMary Cassatt painting
was a picture to see, with its ranks of royal halberdiers in polished armor, and its troops of brilliantly costumed servitors flitting up and down, and to and fro, in the hurry of preparation.
Presently a command was given, and immediately all living creatures vanished from the steps. Now the air was heavy with the hush of suspense and expectancy. As far as one's vision could carry, he might see the myriads of people in the boats rise up, and shade their eyes from the glare of lanterns and torches, and gaze toward the palace.
Mary Cassatt painting
A file of forty or fifty state barges drew up to the steps. They were richly gilt, and their lofty prows and sterns were elaborately carved. Some of them were decorated with banners and streamers; some with cloth-of-gold and arras embroidered with coats of arms; others with silken flags that had numberless little silver bells fastened to them, which shook out tiny showers of joyous music whenever the breezes fluttered them; others of yet higher pretensions, since they belonged to nobles in the prince's immediate serviceMary Cassatt painting
Rembrandt Painting
Rembrandt Painting
"Why, so in sooth I did; I do remember it.... What did I with it!... I am very feeble.... So oft these days doth my memory play the traitor with me.... "Tis strange, strange-"
The king dropped into inarticulate mumblings, shaking his gray head weakly from time to time, and gropingly trying to recollect what he had done with the Seal. At last my Lord Hertford ventured to kneel and offer information-
Rembrandt Painting
Sire, if that I may be so bold, here be several that do remember with me how that you gave the Great Seal into the hands of his Highness the Prince of Wales to keep against the day that-"
"True, most true!" interrupted the king. "Fetch it! Go: time flieth!"
Lord Hertford flew to Tom, but returned to the king before very long, troubled and empty-handed. He delivered himself to this effect:
Rembrandt Painting
"Why, so in sooth I did; I do remember it.... What did I with it!... I am very feeble.... So oft these days doth my memory play the traitor with me.... "Tis strange, strange-"
The king dropped into inarticulate mumblings, shaking his gray head weakly from time to time, and gropingly trying to recollect what he had done with the Seal. At last my Lord Hertford ventured to kneel and offer information-
Rembrandt Painting
Sire, if that I may be so bold, here be several that do remember with me how that you gave the Great Seal into the hands of his Highness the Prince of Wales to keep against the day that-"
"True, most true!" interrupted the king. "Fetch it! Go: time flieth!"
Lord Hertford flew to Tom, but returned to the king before very long, troubled and empty-handed. He delivered himself to this effect:
Rembrandt Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
had their sides picturesquely fenced with shields gorgeously emblazoned with armorial bearings. Each state barge was towed by a tender. Besides the rowers, these tenders carried each a number of men-at-arms in glossy helmet and breastplate, and a company of musicians.
Edward Hopper Painting
The advance-guard of the expected procession now appeared in the great gateway, a troop of halberdiers. "They were dressed in striped hose of black and tawny, velvet caps graced at the sides with silver roses, and doublets of murrey and blue cloth, embroidered on the front and back with the three feathers, the prince's blazon, woven in gold. Their halberd staves were covered with crimson velve
Edward Hopper Painting
had their sides picturesquely fenced with shields gorgeously emblazoned with armorial bearings. Each state barge was towed by a tender. Besides the rowers, these tenders carried each a number of men-at-arms in glossy helmet and breastplate, and a company of musicians.
Edward Hopper Painting
The advance-guard of the expected procession now appeared in the great gateway, a troop of halberdiers. "They were dressed in striped hose of black and tawny, velvet caps graced at the sides with silver roses, and doublets of murrey and blue cloth, embroidered on the front and back with the three feathers, the prince's blazon, woven in gold. Their halberd staves were covered with crimson velve
Edward Hopper Painting
van gogh sunflower
van gogh sunflower
fastened with gilt nails, and ornamented with gold tassels. Filing off on the right and left, they formed two long lines, extending from the gateway of the palace to the water's edge. A thick, rayed cloth or carpet was then unfolded, and laid down between them by attendants in the gold-and-crimson liveries of the prince. This done, a flourish of trumpets resounded from within. A lively prelude arose from the musicians on the water
van gogh sunflower
and two ushers with white wands marched with a slow and stately pace from the portal. They were followed by an officer bearing the civic mace, after whom came another carrying the city's sword; then several sergeants of the city guard, in their full accoutrements, and with badges on their sleeves; then the Garter king-at-arms, in his tabard; then several knights of the Bath, each with a white lace on his sleeve; then their esquires; then the judges, in their robes of scarlet and coifs; then the Lord High Chancellor of England
van gogh sunflower
fastened with gilt nails, and ornamented with gold tassels. Filing off on the right and left, they formed two long lines, extending from the gateway of the palace to the water's edge. A thick, rayed cloth or carpet was then unfolded, and laid down between them by attendants in the gold-and-crimson liveries of the prince. This done, a flourish of trumpets resounded from within. A lively prelude arose from the musicians on the water
van gogh sunflower
and two ushers with white wands marched with a slow and stately pace from the portal. They were followed by an officer bearing the civic mace, after whom came another carrying the city's sword; then several sergeants of the city guard, in their full accoutrements, and with badges on their sleeves; then the Garter king-at-arms, in his tabard; then several knights of the Bath, each with a white lace on his sleeve; then their esquires; then the judges, in their robes of scarlet and coifs; then the Lord High Chancellor of England
van gogh sunflower
Van Gogh Painting
Van Gogh Painting
in a robe of scarlet, open before, and purfled with minever; then a deputation of aldermen, in their scarlet cloaks; and then the heads of the different civic companies, in their robes of state. Now came twelve French gentlemen, in splendid habiliments, consisting of pourpoints of white damask barred with gold, short mantles of crimson velvet lined with violet taffeta, and carnation-colored hauts-de-chausses, and took their way down the steps. They were of the suite of the French ambassador, and were followed by twelve cavaliers of the suite of the Spanish ambassador, clothed in black velvet
Van Gogh Painting
unrelieved by any ornament. Following these came several great English nobles with their attendants."
There was a flourish of trumpets within; and the prince's uncle, the future great Duke of Somerset, emerged from the gateway, arrayed in a "doublet of black cloth-of-gold, and a cloak of crimson satin flowered with gold, and ribanded with nets of silver."
Van Gogh Painting
in a robe of scarlet, open before, and purfled with minever; then a deputation of aldermen, in their scarlet cloaks; and then the heads of the different civic companies, in their robes of state. Now came twelve French gentlemen, in splendid habiliments, consisting of pourpoints of white damask barred with gold, short mantles of crimson velvet lined with violet taffeta, and carnation-colored hauts-de-chausses, and took their way down the steps. They were of the suite of the French ambassador, and were followed by twelve cavaliers of the suite of the Spanish ambassador, clothed in black velvet
Van Gogh Painting
unrelieved by any ornament. Following these came several great English nobles with their attendants."
There was a flourish of trumpets within; and the prince's uncle, the future great Duke of Somerset, emerged from the gateway, arrayed in a "doublet of black cloth-of-gold, and a cloak of crimson satin flowered with gold, and ribanded with nets of silver."
Van Gogh Painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
"Alack, how have I longed for this sweet hour! and lo, too late it cometh, and I am robbed of this so coveted chance. But speed ye, speed ye! let others do this happy office sith "tis denied to me. I put my great seal in commission: choose thou the lords that shall compose it, and get ye to your work. Speed ye, man! Before the sun shall rise and set again, bring me his head that I may see it."
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
According to the king's command, so shall it be. Will"t please your majesty to order that the Seal be now restored to me, so that I may forth upon the business?"
"The Seal! Who keepeth the Seal but thou?"
"Please your majesty, you did take it from me two days since, saying it should no more do its office till your own royal hand should use it upon the Duke of Norfolk's warrant
"Alack, how have I longed for this sweet hour! and lo, too late it cometh, and I am robbed of this so coveted chance. But speed ye, speed ye! let others do this happy office sith "tis denied to me. I put my great seal in commission: choose thou the lords that shall compose it, and get ye to your work. Speed ye, man! Before the sun shall rise and set again, bring me his head that I may see it."
Gustav Klimt lady with fan Painting
According to the king's command, so shall it be. Will"t please your majesty to order that the Seal be now restored to me, so that I may forth upon the business?"
"The Seal! Who keepeth the Seal but thou?"
"Please your majesty, you did take it from me two days since, saying it should no more do its office till your own royal hand should use it upon the Duke of Norfolk's warrant
William Bouguereau paintings
William Bouguereau paintings
and to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These "vagaries" were soon on exhibition before them; but they only moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their mirth. It was a heavy affliction to them to see the beloved prince so stricken.
Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or even seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously and with deep interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful fabric, then said with simplicity
William Bouguereau paintings
Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled."
The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and without word or protest of any sort.
Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest, and asked what they were, and if they were to be eaten; for it was only recently that men had begun to raise these
Bouguereau William
Gustav Klimt Painting
Gustav Klimt Painting
things in England in place of importing them as luxuries from Holland.4 His question was answered with grave respect, and no surprise manifested. When he had finished his dessert, he filled his pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, or disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had been permitted to do with his own
Gustav Klimt Painting
hands during the meal, and he did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely thing. At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch, and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle. This continued, and Tom began to evince a growing distress. He looked appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him, and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with dismay in their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with genuine anguish
Gustav Klimt Painting
things in England in place of importing them as luxuries from Holland.4 His question was answered with grave respect, and no surprise manifested. When he had finished his dessert, he filled his pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, or disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had been permitted to do with his own
Gustav Klimt Painting
hands during the meal, and he did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely thing. At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch, and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle. This continued, and Tom began to evince a growing distress. He looked appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him, and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with dismay in their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with genuine anguish
Gustav Klimt Painting
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus
when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d"Arcy, First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what; but there he was-let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was there, and stood behind Tom's chair overseeing the solemnities, under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook
The Birth of Venus
who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants besides these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.
All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head
The Birth of Venus
when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d"Arcy, First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what; but there he was-let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was there, and stood behind Tom's chair overseeing the solemnities, under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook
The Birth of Venus
who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants besides these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.
All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head
The Birth of Venus
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
crave your indulgence; my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the custom and usage in this emergence? Prithee speed, for "tis but a little time that I can bear it."
None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the other in deep tribulation for counsel. But, behold, here was a dead wall, and nothing in English history to tell how to get over it. The Master of Ceremonies was not present; there was no one who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea, or risk the attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no Hereditary Scratcher.
risk the attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears had overflowed their banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His twitching nose was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last nature broke down the barriers of etiquette; Tom lifted up an inward prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
crave your indulgence; my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the custom and usage in this emergence? Prithee speed, for "tis but a little time that I can bear it."
None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the other in deep tribulation for counsel. But, behold, here was a dead wall, and nothing in English history to tell how to get over it. The Master of Ceremonies was not present; there was no one who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea, or risk the attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no Hereditary Scratcher.
| William Bouguereau the first kiss Painting |
| gustav klimt the kiss painting |
risk the attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! there was no Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears had overflowed their banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His twitching nose was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last nature broke down the barriers of etiquette; Tom lifted up an inward prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.
Gustav Klimt The Kiss
Modern Art Painting
Modern Art Painting
His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad, shallow, golden dish with fragrant rose-water in it, to cleanse his mouth and fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood by with a napkin for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled moment or two, then raised it to his lips, and gravely took a draught. Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said:
"Nay, it likes me not, my lord; it hath a pretty flavor, but it wanteth strength."
Modern Art Painting
This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the hearts about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.
Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair and with uplifted hands and closed uplifted eyes, was in the act of beginning the blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the prince had done a thing unusual.
Modern Art Painting
His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad, shallow, golden dish with fragrant rose-water in it, to cleanse his mouth and fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood by with a napkin for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled moment or two, then raised it to his lips, and gravely took a draught. Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said:
"Nay, it likes me not, my lord; it hath a pretty flavor, but it wanteth strength."
Modern Art Painting
This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the hearts about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.
Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair and with uplifted hands and closed uplifted eyes, was in the act of beginning the blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the prince had done a thing unusual.
Modern Art Painting
Gustav Klimt two girls with an oleander Painting Art
Gustav Klimt two girls with an oleander Painting
By his own request, our small friend was now conducted to his private cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging upon hooks in the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a suit of shining steel armor, covered all over with beautiful designs exquisitely inlaid in gold. This martial panoply belonged to the true prince-a recent present from Madam Parr, the queen
Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the plumed helmet, and such other pieces as he could don without assistance, and for a while was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but bethought him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services; so he restored the pretty things to
Art Painting
By his own request, our small friend was now conducted to his private cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging upon hooks in the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a suit of shining steel armor, covered all over with beautiful designs exquisitely inlaid in gold. This martial panoply belonged to the true prince-a recent present from Madam Parr, the queen
Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the plumed helmet, and such other pieces as he could don without assistance, and for a while was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but bethought him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services; so he restored the pretty things to
Art Painting
Famous painting
Famous painting
their several places, and soon was cracking nuts, and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time since God for his sins had made him a prince. When the nuts were all gone, he stumbled upon some inviting books in a closet, among them one about the etiquette of the English court. This was a prize. He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and proceeded to instruct himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there for the present.
Famous painting
About five o'clock Henry VIII awoke out of an unrefreshing nap, and muttered to himself, "Troublous dreams, troublous dreams! Mine end is now at hand; so say these warnings, and my failing pulses do confirm it." Presently a wicked light flamed up in his eye, and he muttered, "Yet will not I die till he go before."
His attendants perceiving that he was awake, one of them asked his pleasure concerning the Lord Chancellor, who was waiting without.
Famous painting
their several places, and soon was cracking nuts, and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time since God for his sins had made him a prince. When the nuts were all gone, he stumbled upon some inviting books in a closet, among them one about the etiquette of the English court. This was a prize. He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and proceeded to instruct himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there for the present.
Famous painting
About five o'clock Henry VIII awoke out of an unrefreshing nap, and muttered to himself, "Troublous dreams, troublous dreams! Mine end is now at hand; so say these warnings, and my failing pulses do confirm it." Presently a wicked light flamed up in his eye, and he muttered, "Yet will not I die till he go before."
His attendants perceiving that he was awake, one of them asked his pleasure concerning the Lord Chancellor, who was waiting without.
Famous painting
Famous artist painting
Famous artist painting
"Admit him, admit him!" exclaimed the king eagerly.
The Lord Chancellor entered, and knelt by the king's couch, saying:
"I have given order, and, according to the king's command, the peers of the realm, in their robes, do now stand at the bar of the House, where, having confirmed the Duke of Norfolk's doom, they humbly wait his majesty's further pleasure in the matter."
The king's face lit up with a fierce joy. Said he
Famous artist painting
"Lift me up! In mine own person will I go before my Parliament, and with mine own hand will I seal the warrant that rids me of-"
His voice failed; an ashen pallor swept the flush from his cheeks; and the attendants eased him back upon his pillows, and hurriedly assisted him with restoratives. Presently he said sorrowfully:
Famous artist painting
"Admit him, admit him!" exclaimed the king eagerly.
The Lord Chancellor entered, and knelt by the king's couch, saying:
"I have given order, and, according to the king's command, the peers of the realm, in their robes, do now stand at the bar of the House, where, having confirmed the Duke of Norfolk's doom, they humbly wait his majesty's further pleasure in the matter."
The king's face lit up with a fierce joy. Said he
Famous artist painting
"Lift me up! In mine own person will I go before my Parliament, and with mine own hand will I seal the warrant that rids me of-"
His voice failed; an ashen pallor swept the flush from his cheeks; and the attendants eased him back upon his pillows, and hurriedly assisted him with restoratives. Presently he said sorrowfully:
Famous artist painting
Monday, October 15, 2007
Abstract Painting The Three Ages of Woman
Abstract Painting
Bunting lowered his voice, but Daisy and Chandler were already moving towards the door.
"I don't believe he'll ever be caught," said the other confidentially. "In some ways 'tis a lot more of a job to catch a madman than 'tis to run down just an ordinary criminal. And, of course - leastways to my thinking - The Avenger is a madman - one of the cunning, quiet sort. Have you heard about the letter?" his voice dropped lower.
The Three Ages of Woman
"No," said Bunting, staring eagerly at him. "What letter d'you mean?"
"Well, there's a letter - it'll be in this museum some day - which came just before that last double event. 'Twas signed 'The Avenger,' in just the same printed characters as on that bit of paper he always leaves behind him. Mind you, it don't follow that it actually was The Avenger what sent that letter here, but it looks uncommonly like it, and I know that the Boss attaches quite a lot of importance to it."
Abstract Painting
Bunting lowered his voice, but Daisy and Chandler were already moving towards the door.
"I don't believe he'll ever be caught," said the other confidentially. "In some ways 'tis a lot more of a job to catch a madman than 'tis to run down just an ordinary criminal. And, of course - leastways to my thinking - The Avenger is a madman - one of the cunning, quiet sort. Have you heard about the letter?" his voice dropped lower.
The Three Ages of Woman
"No," said Bunting, staring eagerly at him. "What letter d'you mean?"
"Well, there's a letter - it'll be in this museum some day - which came just before that last double event. 'Twas signed 'The Avenger,' in just the same printed characters as on that bit of paper he always leaves behind him. Mind you, it don't follow that it actually was The Avenger what sent that letter here, but it looks uncommonly like it, and I know that the Boss attaches quite a lot of importance to it."
Abstract Painting
Rembrandt Painting
Rembrandt Painting
But Bunting was in no hurry. He was thoroughly enjoying every moment of the time. Just now he was studying intently the various photographs which hung on the walls of the Black Museum; especially was he pleased to see those connected with a famous and still mysterious case which had taken place not long before in Scotland, and in which the servant of the man who died had played a considerable part - not in elucidating, but in obscuring, the mystery.
Rembrandt Painting
I suppose a good many murderers get off?" he said musingly.
And Joe Chandler's friend nodded. "I should think they did!" he exclaimed. "There's no such thing as justice here in England. 'Tis odds on the murderer every time. 'Tisn't one in ten that come to the end he should do - to the gallows, that is."
"And what d'you think about what's going on now - I mean about those Avenger murders?"
Rembrandt Painting
But Bunting was in no hurry. He was thoroughly enjoying every moment of the time. Just now he was studying intently the various photographs which hung on the walls of the Black Museum; especially was he pleased to see those connected with a famous and still mysterious case which had taken place not long before in Scotland, and in which the servant of the man who died had played a considerable part - not in elucidating, but in obscuring, the mystery.
Rembrandt Painting
I suppose a good many murderers get off?" he said musingly.
And Joe Chandler's friend nodded. "I should think they did!" he exclaimed. "There's no such thing as justice here in England. 'Tis odds on the murderer every time. 'Tisn't one in ten that come to the end he should do - to the gallows, that is."
"And what d'you think about what's going on now - I mean about those Avenger murders?"
Rembrandt Painting
Van Gogh Painting
Van Gogh Painting
"Yes, and when the ladder was opened out it could reach from the ground to the second storey of any old house. And, oh! how clever he was! Just open one section, and you see the other sections open automatically; so Peace could stand on the ground and force the thing quietly up to any window he wished to reach. Then he'd go away again, having done his job, with a mere bundle of old wood under his arm! My word, he was artful! I wonder if you've heard the tale of how Peace once lost a finger.
Van Gogh Painting
Well, he guessed the constables were instructed to look out for a man missing a finger; so what did he do?"
"Put on a false finger," suggested Bunting.
"No, indeed! Peace made up his mind just to do without a hand altogether. Here's his false stump: you see, it's made of wood - wood and black felt? Well, that just held his hand nicely. Why, we considers that one of the most ingenious contrivances in the whole museum."
Van Gogh Painting
"Yes, and when the ladder was opened out it could reach from the ground to the second storey of any old house. And, oh! how clever he was! Just open one section, and you see the other sections open automatically; so Peace could stand on the ground and force the thing quietly up to any window he wished to reach. Then he'd go away again, having done his job, with a mere bundle of old wood under his arm! My word, he was artful! I wonder if you've heard the tale of how Peace once lost a finger.
Van Gogh Painting
Well, he guessed the constables were instructed to look out for a man missing a finger; so what did he do?"
"Put on a false finger," suggested Bunting.
"No, indeed! Peace made up his mind just to do without a hand altogether. Here's his false stump: you see, it's made of wood - wood and black felt? Well, that just held his hand nicely. Why, we considers that one of the most ingenious contrivances in the whole museum."
Van Gogh Painting
van gogh sunflower
van gogh sunflower
Meanwhile, Daisy had let go her hold of her father. With Chandler in delighted attendance, she bad moved away to the farther end of the great room, and now she was bending over yet another glass case. "Whatever are those little bottles for?" she asked wonderingly.
There were five small phials, filled with varying quantities of cloudy liquids.
van gogh sunflower
"They're full of poison, Miss Daisy, that's what they are. There's enough arsenic in that little whack o' brandy to do for you and me - aye, and for your father as well, I should say."
"Then chemists shouldn't sell such stuff," said Daisy, smiling. Poison was so remote from herself, that the sight of these little bottles only brought a pleasant thrill.
van gogh sunflower
Meanwhile, Daisy had let go her hold of her father. With Chandler in delighted attendance, she bad moved away to the farther end of the great room, and now she was bending over yet another glass case. "Whatever are those little bottles for?" she asked wonderingly.
There were five small phials, filled with varying quantities of cloudy liquids.
van gogh sunflower
"They're full of poison, Miss Daisy, that's what they are. There's enough arsenic in that little whack o' brandy to do for you and me - aye, and for your father as well, I should say."
"Then chemists shouldn't sell such stuff," said Daisy, smiling. Poison was so remote from herself, that the sight of these little bottles only brought a pleasant thrill.
van gogh sunflower
Jack Vettriano Painting
Jack Vettriano Painting
Daisy stared wonderingly, down at the little broken button which had hung a man. "And whatever's that!" she asked, pointing to a piece of dirty-looking stuff.
"Well," said Chandler reluctantly, "that's rather a horrible thing - that is. That's a bit o' shirt that was buried with a woman - buried in the ground, I mean - after her husband had cut her up and tried, to burn her. Twas that bit o' shirt that brought him to the gallows."
Jack Vettriano Painting
I considers your museum's a very horrid place!" said Daisy pettishly, turning away.
She longed to be out in the passage again, away from this brightly lighted, cheerful-looking, sinister room.
But her father was now absorbed in the case containing various types of infernal machines. "Beautiful little works of art some of them are," said his guide eagerly, and Bunting could not but agree.
Jack Vettriano Painting
Daisy stared wonderingly, down at the little broken button which had hung a man. "And whatever's that!" she asked, pointing to a piece of dirty-looking stuff.
"Well," said Chandler reluctantly, "that's rather a horrible thing - that is. That's a bit o' shirt that was buried with a woman - buried in the ground, I mean - after her husband had cut her up and tried, to burn her. Twas that bit o' shirt that brought him to the gallows."
Jack Vettriano Painting
I considers your museum's a very horrid place!" said Daisy pettishly, turning away.
She longed to be out in the passage again, away from this brightly lighted, cheerful-looking, sinister room.
But her father was now absorbed in the case containing various types of infernal machines. "Beautiful little works of art some of them are," said his guide eagerly, and Bunting could not but agree.
Jack Vettriano Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
Henri Matisse Painting
"Look here," he said to Bunting. "In this here little case are the tools of Charles Peace. I expect you've heard of him."
"I should think I have!" cried Bunting eagerly.
"Many gents as comes here thinks this case the most interesting of all. Peace was such a wonderful man! A great inventor they say he would have been, had he been put in the way of it. Here's his ladder
Henri Matisse Painting
you see it folds up quite compactly, and makes a nice little bundle - just like a bundle of old sticks any man might have been seen carrying about London in those days without attracting any attention. Why, it probably helped him to look like an honest working man time and time again, for on being arrested he declared most solemnly he'd always carried that ladder openly under his arm."
"The daring of that!" cried Bunting.
Henri Matisse Painting
"Look here," he said to Bunting. "In this here little case are the tools of Charles Peace. I expect you've heard of him."
"I should think I have!" cried Bunting eagerly.
"Many gents as comes here thinks this case the most interesting of all. Peace was such a wonderful man! A great inventor they say he would have been, had he been put in the way of it. Here's his ladder
Henri Matisse Painting
you see it folds up quite compactly, and makes a nice little bundle - just like a bundle of old sticks any man might have been seen carrying about London in those days without attracting any attention. Why, it probably helped him to look like an honest working man time and time again, for on being arrested he declared most solemnly he'd always carried that ladder openly under his arm."
"The daring of that!" cried Bunting.
Henri Matisse Painting
The Singing Butler
The Singing Butler
"Come along - do, father!" said Daisy quickly. "I've seen about enough now. If I was to stay in here much longer it 'ud give me the horrors. I don't want to have no nightmares to-night. It's dreadful to think there are so many wicked people in the world. Why, we might knock up against some murderer any minute without knowing it, mightn't we?"
The Singing Butler
"Not you, Miss Daisy," said Chandler smilingly. "I don't suppose you'll ever come across even a common swindler, let alone anyone who's committed a murder - not one in a million does that. Why, even I have never had anything to do with a proper murder case!"
The Singing Butler
"Come along - do, father!" said Daisy quickly. "I've seen about enough now. If I was to stay in here much longer it 'ud give me the horrors. I don't want to have no nightmares to-night. It's dreadful to think there are so many wicked people in the world. Why, we might knock up against some murderer any minute without knowing it, mightn't we?"
The Singing Butler
"Not you, Miss Daisy," said Chandler smilingly. "I don't suppose you'll ever come across even a common swindler, let alone anyone who's committed a murder - not one in a million does that. Why, even I have never had anything to do with a proper murder case!"
The Singing Butler
Mary Cassatt painting
Mary Cassatt painting
"Well," said Chandler slowly, "we've a case full of relics of Mrs. Pearce. But the pram the bodies were found in, that's at Madame Tussaud's - at least so they claim, I can't say. Now here's something just as curious, and not near so dreadful. See that man's jacket there?!'
"Yes," said Daisy falteringly. She was beginning to feel oppressed, frightened. She no longer wondered that the Indian gentleman had been taken queer.
Mary Cassatt painting
"A burglar shot a man dead who'd disturbed him, and by mistake he went and left that jacket behind him. Our people noticed that one of the buttons was broken in two. Well, that don't seem much of a clue, does it, Miss Daisy? Will you believe me when I tells you that that other bit of button was discovered, and that it hanged the fellow? And 'twas the more wonderful because all three buttons was different!"
Mary Cassatt painting
"Well," said Chandler slowly, "we've a case full of relics of Mrs. Pearce. But the pram the bodies were found in, that's at Madame Tussaud's - at least so they claim, I can't say. Now here's something just as curious, and not near so dreadful. See that man's jacket there?!'
"Yes," said Daisy falteringly. She was beginning to feel oppressed, frightened. She no longer wondered that the Indian gentleman had been taken queer.
Mary Cassatt painting
"A burglar shot a man dead who'd disturbed him, and by mistake he went and left that jacket behind him. Our people noticed that one of the buttons was broken in two. Well, that don't seem much of a clue, does it, Miss Daisy? Will you believe me when I tells you that that other bit of button was discovered, and that it hanged the fellow? And 'twas the more wonderful because all three buttons was different!"
Mary Cassatt painting
Edward Hopper Painting
Edward Hopper Painting
No more they don't. That was sneaked out of a flypaper, that was. Lady said she wanted a cosmetic for her complexion, but what she was really going for was flypapers for to do away with her husband. She'd got a bit tired of him, I suspect."
"Perhaps he was a horrid man, and deserved to be done away with," said Daisy. The idea struck them both as so very comic that they began to laugh aloud in unison.
Edward Hopper Painting
"Did you ever hear what a certain Mrs. Pearce did?" asked Chandler, becoming suddenly serious.
"Oh, yes," said Daisy, and she shuddered a little. "That was the wicked, wicked woman what killed a pretty little baby and its mother. They've got her in Madame Tussaud's. But Ellen, she won't let me go to the Chamber of Horrors. She wouldn't let father take me there last time I was in London. Cruel of her, I called it. But somehow I don't feel as if I wanted to go there now, after having been here!"
Edward Hopper Painting
No more they don't. That was sneaked out of a flypaper, that was. Lady said she wanted a cosmetic for her complexion, but what she was really going for was flypapers for to do away with her husband. She'd got a bit tired of him, I suspect."
"Perhaps he was a horrid man, and deserved to be done away with," said Daisy. The idea struck them both as so very comic that they began to laugh aloud in unison.
Edward Hopper Painting
"Did you ever hear what a certain Mrs. Pearce did?" asked Chandler, becoming suddenly serious.
"Oh, yes," said Daisy, and she shuddered a little. "That was the wicked, wicked woman what killed a pretty little baby and its mother. They've got her in Madame Tussaud's. But Ellen, she won't let me go to the Chamber of Horrors. She wouldn't let father take me there last time I was in London. Cruel of her, I called it. But somehow I don't feel as if I wanted to go there now, after having been here!"
Edward Hopper Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
Marc Chagall Painting
He said that each of these things, with the exception of the casts, mind you - queer to say, he left them out - exuded evil, that was the word he used! Exuded - squeezed out it means. He said that being here made him feel very bad. And twasn't all nonsense either. He turned quite green under his yellow skin, and we had to shove him out quick. He didn't feel better till he'd got right to the other end of the passage!"
Marc Chagall Painting
"There now! Who'd ever think of that?" said Bunting. "I should say that man 'ud got something on his conscience, wouldn't you?"
"Well, I needn't stay now," said Joe's good-natured friend. "You show your friends round, Chandler. You knows the place nearly as well as I do, don't you?"
He smiled at Joe's visitors, as if to say good-bye, but it seemed that he could not tear himself away after all. Marc Chagall Painting
He said that each of these things, with the exception of the casts, mind you - queer to say, he left them out - exuded evil, that was the word he used! Exuded - squeezed out it means. He said that being here made him feel very bad. And twasn't all nonsense either. He turned quite green under his yellow skin, and we had to shove him out quick. He didn't feel better till he'd got right to the other end of the passage!"
Marc Chagall Painting
"There now! Who'd ever think of that?" said Bunting. "I should say that man 'ud got something on his conscience, wouldn't you?"
"Well, I needn't stay now," said Joe's good-natured friend. "You show your friends round, Chandler. You knows the place nearly as well as I do, don't you?"
He smiled at Joe's visitors, as if to say good-bye, but it seemed that he could not tear himself away after all. Marc Chagall Painting
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus
Daisy had gone a little pale. The sinister, breathless atmosphere of the place was beginning to tell on her. She now began to understand that the shabby little objects lying there in the glass case close to her were each and all links in the chain of evidence which, in almost every case, had brought some guilty man or woman to the gallows.
The Birth of Venus
"We had a yellow gentleman here the other day," observed the guardian suddenly; "one of those Brahmins - so they calls themselves. Well, you'd a been quite surprised to see how that heathen took on! He 'declared - what was the word he used? " - he turned to Chandler.
The Birth of Venus
Daisy had gone a little pale. The sinister, breathless atmosphere of the place was beginning to tell on her. She now began to understand that the shabby little objects lying there in the glass case close to her were each and all links in the chain of evidence which, in almost every case, had brought some guilty man or woman to the gallows.
The Birth of Venus
"We had a yellow gentleman here the other day," observed the guardian suddenly; "one of those Brahmins - so they calls themselves. Well, you'd a been quite surprised to see how that heathen took on! He 'declared - what was the word he used? " - he turned to Chandler.
The Birth of Venus