He was one of those
artists who never would be able wholly to separate his idea of the muse
from that of a serving-maid; and he viewed art from the strictly
utilitarian standpoint which considers it a means toward the payment of
butcher and baker and candlestick maker. He was not indifferent to the
opinion of his fellow sculptors; but the criticism of Alfred Irons,
which he knew to be backed by a substantial bank account, would have
outweighed in his mind the judgment of Michael Angelo or Phidias.
Milly, of course, had no ideas about art beyond a faint sentimental
tendency to regard it as a mysterious and glorious thing which one
could not wholly escape in Boston; while her thrifty New England
nurture enabled her to appreciate perfectly the force of the
considerations Orin brought forward.
"I am glad you are getting commissions," she said, "but it must be nice
to have the artists like your work, for after all, don't you think rich
people depend a good deal upon what the artists say?"
"Oh yes, they do, some," admitted the sculptor.
He puffed his cigar, and with the aid of a penknife performed upon his
nails certain operations of the toilet which are more usually attended
to in private. Milly sat nervously trying to think of something to say,
and wondering what had brought the sculptor to visit her. She was too
kindly to suspect that possibly he had come because in her company he
could enjoy the pleasure of giving free rein to his self-conceit.
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