Page:The Outcry (London, Methuen & Co., 1911).djvu/106

92 Bender's style, "what's the matter with ten thousand?"

The subject of his gay tribute considered. "There's nothing the matter with ten thousand."

"Then," Lord Theign asked, "is there anything the matter with the picture?"

"Yes, sir—I guess there is."

It gave an upward push to his lordship's eyebrows. "But what in the world?"

"Well, that's just the question!"

The eyebrows continued to rise. "Does he pretend there's a question of whether it is a Moretto?"

"That's what he was up there trying to find out."

"But if the value's, according to himself, ten thousand?"

"Why, of course," said Mr. Bender, "it's a fine work anyway."

"Then," Lord Theign brought good-naturedly out, "what's the matter with you, Mr. Bender?"

That gentleman was perfectly clear. "The matter with me, Lord Theign, is that I've no use for a ten thousand picture."