No More Learning

He's dead. That's poor
consolation now. "

In the afternoon of the third day Torpenhow heard Dick calling for him.

"All finished! " he shouted. "I've done it! Come in! Isn't she a beauty?
Isn't she a darling? I've been down to hell to get her; but isn't she
worth it? "

Torpenhow looked at the head of a woman who laughed,--a full-lipped,
hollow-eyed woman who laughed from out of the canvas as Dick had
intended she would.

"Who taught you how to do it? " said Torpenhow. "The touch and notion
have nothing to do with your regular work. What a face it is!
What eyes,
and what insolence! " Unconsciously he threw back his head and laughed
with her. "She's seen the game played out,--I don't think she had a good
time of it,--and now she doesn't care. Isn't that the idea? "

"Exactly. "

"Where did you get the mouth and chin from? They don't belong to Bess. "

"They're--some one else's. But isn't it good? Isn't it thundering good?
Wasn't it worth the whiskey? I did it. Alone I did it, and it's the best
I can do. " He drew his breath sharply, and whispered, "Just God! what
could I not do ten years hence, if I can do this now! --By the way, what
do you think of it, Bess?