Clearly, he was in the mood
to be delighted with everything. Between his remarks, which were
uttered in the sprightliest tone, he hummed phrases of melody.
"Your Academy picture was a great success," said Bertha, discreetly
watching him as she spoke.
"Yes, I suppose it was," he answered, with a light-hearted laugh.
"Did you see it?--And what did you think of it?--No, seriously;
I should like your real opinion. I know you _have_ opinions."
"You meant it to be successful," was Bertha's reply.
"Well, yes, I did. At the same time I think some of the critics--
the high and mighty ones, you know--were altogether wrong about
it. Perhaps, on the whole, you take their view?"
"Oh no, I don't," answered his companion, cheerfully. "I thought the
picture very clever, and very true."
"I'm delighted! I've always maintained that it was perfectly true. A
friend of mine--why, you remember me speaking of Warburton--
Warburton wanted me to make the Slummer ugly. But why? It's just the
prettiest girls--of that kind--who go slumming nowadays. Still,
you are quite right. I did mean it to be 'successful.' I _had_ to
make a success, that's the fact of the matter. You know what bad
times I was having. I got sick of it, that's the truth. Then, I owed
money, and money that had to be paid back, one way or another. Now
I'm out of debt, and see my way to live and work in decent comfort.
And I maintain that I've done nothing to be ashamed of.
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