The Attorney had met him outside
and had thought it would be fun to bring him along.
Everything under the sun had been discussed: literature and art, man and
God; they had settled the suffrage question, taken a fall out of Malthus,
strayed onto the political preserves. It had unfortunately turned out that
Paulsberg's article in the _Gazette_ failed to have the desired
effect on Parliament. With sixty-five votes to forty-four it had decided
to postpone matters indefinitely; five representatives had suddenly been
taken ill and could not participate in the voting. Milde declared that he
was going to Australia.
"But you are painting Paulsberg?" objected Norem, the Actor.
"Well, what of it? I can finish that picture in a couple of days."
It was, however, a secret arrangement that the picture was not to be
finished until after the close of the Exhibition. Paulsberg had expressly
demanded it. He did not want to be exhibited in mixed company; he desired
solitude, veneration, a large window all to himself on the promenade. This
was just like Paulsberg.
When, therefore, Milde said that he could finish the picture in a couple
of days, Paulsberg answered curtly:
"I shall be unable to sit for you at present; I am working.
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