Then
the sculptor turned to lead the way up the studio, waving his hand as
he did so toward the place where he had been working.
"You couldn't have come more opportunely," remarked he. "You are just
in time to criticise my model for _America_. I was just looking it over
for the last touches."
"It was that I came to talk about," Helen returned, moving forward
toward the modelling stand on which was a figure in clay. "I have just
learned that the commission has already been awarded; and I thought you
ought to know how the committee is acting."
"I do know," he answered. "Mr. Hubbard came and told me, although the
committee meant to keep the decision quiet until after the models were
in."
"But you are finishing yours."
"Yes, I declined to enter a competition and was hired to make a model.
Of course I finish that, whatever the decision of the committee. Mr.
Hubbard told me because he had before assured me of his support, and he
wished to avoid even the suspicion of double dealing."
"The action of the committee is outrageous!" Helen protested,
indignantly. "They might as well put up a tobacconist's sign as the
thing Orin Stanton will make. It shows that you are right in refusing
to enter a competition, since they have decided without even seeing the
models they asked for."
"Yes," was Herman's reply. He paused a moment, and added, "Was that the
reason you withdrew?"
Helen flushed slightly, and turned her face aside.
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