Read-Aloud Plays Part 28

SILVIA

Here comes Joe. Joe, I want you to meet my cousin, Mr. Wentworth. Mr.

Wentworth--Mr. Carson.

JOE

Very glad to meet you, Mr. Wentworth.

MR. WENTWORTH

It's a great pleasure for me to meet a real artist, Mr. Carson.

SILVIA

Excuse me a moment. I'll bring on the tea.

JOE

Oh, as for that--I'm working along. Sometimes I hit it--

MR. WENTWORTH

_Ars longa, vita brevis_ you know! I want to see your pictures very much.

I was just telling Silvia how I delight in the Louvre. I go there with a cla.s.s for lectures every morning. I suppose you often copy the old masters?

JOE

Copy the old masters? I should say not. I'm not out to be a camera. It's all I can do to work out my own impressions.

MR. WENTWORTH

Oh, I see. But--

SILVIA

The tea's ready. Joe, bring up that chair for Mr. Wentworth. Mr.

Wentworth, do you take cream and sugar?

MR. WENTWORTH If you please. Yes, two lumps. There's nothing like the atmosphere of a studio, is there? I love it. I feel I have missed so much. Still, the instinct for beauty, fragile as it is, does persist.... I was surprised to feel so many of my old emotions awake on coming to Paris.

So much that hasn't been real to me for years! I have gained much inspiration for planning my new house.

SILVIA

You are building a new house? I have heard father talk about your collection of j.a.panese prints.

MR. WENTWORTH

A really delightful thing, j.a.panese prints. Yes, I intend building on Long Island. And my new interest in pictures ... I shall have a gallery especially for them.

JOE

Americans haven't done any too much for art so far.

MR. WENTWORTH

Oh, I a.s.sure you! I know many men who are continually buying the best on the market.

JOE

Oh, _that_....

SILVIA

Another cup, Mr. Wentworth? Joe, pa.s.s the cake.

MR. WENTWORTH

No, thank you, Silvia. Yes, the cake if you please. Why, it's real English plumcake!

SILVIA

English things are getting very popular over here. Joe, won't you show us the new picture? He finished it just before you came, Mr. Wentworth.

MR. WENTWORTH

Indeed! I should like to see it very much.

JOE

There isn't very much light.

SILVIA

No, the light is poor. But even so--and your colors will stand out, Joe.

MR. WENTWORTH

Really, Mr. Carson, I counted on seeing some of your work. I have heard, nice things about you.

JOE

There. If you stand just here....

SILVIA

Oh, _Joe_!

JOE