Eh?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

It’s for the tradespeople.

ROBERT ADDISON.

Oh really—­on principle you know—­I never pay tradespeople.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Well, not to put too fine a point upon it, it’s for my wife.

ROBERT ADDISON.

I warned you not to marry.  Now you see how right I was—­she wants two thick ’uns.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

I know it’s rough on you.

ROBERT ADDISON.

It is.  I’m a sociable chap by nature, and I’m rapidly being left without a friend to bless myself with.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

I don’t grasp!

ROBERT ADDISON.

They all borrow my money, and then they say they’re out the next time I call.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

I have got a big thing on, only temporarily I’m in a hole.

ROBERT ADDISON.

I never knew a fellow in a hole who hadn’t a big thing on.  What is it?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

The hole?

ROBERT ADDISON.

No, the big thing—­the stable tip?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

It’s nothing to do with the turf.  Look here, Schercl—­you know Schercl?

ROBERT ADDISON.

I know him.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

He gave me a commission for a picture six weeks ago; he’s going to pay three hundred for it.  He advanced a century when I accepted the offer.

ROBERT ADDISON.

They are wonderful terms, Tempenny, for you.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Seems rather funny, doesn’t it,—­but it’s a fact.  “Nobody more astonished than the striker,” I confess.

ROBERT ADDIS ON.

Well, where’s the picture?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

(Turning round the big blank canvas).  There!

ROBERT ADDISON (with a whistle).

Oh my sainted mother!  How does Schercl like it?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

It’s good work, isn’t it?  Fine colour and tone!  How do the harmonies strike you—­correct?

ROBERT ADDISON.

Unbosom, what does it mean?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Dear boy, it means it was a royal order, and that I’ve been on the royal loaf on the strength of it; and, now that I repent me, I haven’t got a model.

ROBERT ADDISON.

No model?

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

The subject is to be Susannah—­Susannah before the Elders.  You know the kind of thing—­(whispers).

ROBERT ADDISON.

Yes, of course, and I suppose—? (whispers).

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

Yes, and—­(touches his arms and chest, signifying a fine woman—­whispers).

ROBERT ADDISON.

Exactly.  I think I can recommend the very model you want.

REMBRANDT TEMPENNY.

You?  Where did you meet her—­on a racecourse?