‘Yes,’ answered Chapin, who did not know where it was; ’far above all other.  There was some sentiment in them days; but it was all of the religious stripe; they didn’t come down to domestic life and feelin’; they hadn’t made the strides we have towards layin’ open art to the million—­towards developing hum feelings.  They worked for a precious few; but we do it up for the many.  Now there’s the A-poller Belvidiary—­beautiful thing; but the idea of brushin’ his hair that way is ridicoolus.  Did you ever see anybody with their hair fixed that way?  Never!  They had a way among the Greeks of fixing their drapery right well; but I’ve invented a plan—­for which I’ve applied to Washington for a patent—­that I think will beat anything Phidias ever did.’

‘You can’t tell how charmed I am to hear you,’ spoke Rocjean.

‘Well, it is a great invention,’ continued Chapin; ’and as I know neither of you ain’t in the ‘trade’ (smiling), I don’t care but what I’ll show it to you, if you’ll promise, honor bright, you won’t tell anybody.  You see I take a piece of muslin and hang it onto a statue the way I want the folds to fall; then I take a syringe filled with starch and glue and go all over it, so that when it dries it’ll be as hard as a rock.  Then I go all over it with a certain oily preparation and lastly I run liquid plaster-paris in it, and when it hardens, I have an exact mold of the drapery.  There!  But I hain’t explained The Orphan.  You see she’s sittin’ on a very light chair—­that shows the very little support she has in this world.  The hand to the head shows meditation; and the Bible on her knee shows devotion; you see it’s open to the book, chapter, and verse which refers to the young ravens.’

‘Excuse me,’ said Caper, ’but may I ask why she has such a very low-necked dress on?’

‘Well, my model has got such a fine neck and shoulders,’ replied Chapin, ’that I re-eely couldn’t help showing ’em off on the Orphan:  besides, they’re more in demand—­the low neck and short sleeves—­than the high-bodied style, which has no buyers.  But there is a work I’m engaged on now that would just soot your uncle.  Mr. Caper, come this way.’

Caper saw what he supposed was a safe to keep meat cool in, and approached.  Chapin threw back the doors of it like a showman about to disclose the What Is It? and Caper saw a dropsical-looking Cupid with a very short shirt on, and a pair of winged shoes on his feet.  The figure was starting forward as if to catch his equilibrium, which he had that moment lost, and was only prevented from tumbling forward by a bag held behind him in his left hand, while his right arm and hand, at full length, pointed a sharp arrow in front of him.