The Spectator., 1914-12-11


 Iris arose in indignation, but reseat- ed herself, biting her lips.
 By the way, what have you come here for?" asked Cassie, watching her closely. If you ain't engaged to him, a visit by your lonesome is a little"
 T came to pose," said Iris breath lessly. "Signor Pedro is going to paint my portrait"
 Even so, your kind don't generally come alone, do they?" said the elder girl gently.
 You are quite mistaken" cried said just now that I knew nothing of the life of the studios. We'll, again you are mistaken. I do. I am in them constantly. That I am not an artist does not prove that I am not a Bo- hemian, and utterly accustomed to freedom of thought and action!"
 Now listen to me, and don't cry" said Cassie. There's nothing to weep over. What I'm going to tell you is the straight goods. see? I'm not ex- actly lady myself, but I know the real thing when I see it, and this time it's you, with no mistakei"
 They seated themselves before the fire now. side by side, Iris submitting meekly to being placed as Cassie indi- cated.
 Now, I'm not a swell" began Cas- sic; "and probably you'll say I ain't fn odryJc fpsx hut I do know something more about this world than you do. That's pretty clear. and want to slip you tip. It's this: You carefully brought up girls think it's a great lark to come into 'Bohe- mia, as you call 1t. and do crazy things. as though you was in a foreign country where you didn't expect to be seen. It's that queer notion, that what people are told not to do, is fun to do. that's brought you here. You came alone because 1t made you feel like 8 real devil to do so.
 And there's another thing" said Cassie. They are all alike in one thing, the men are. The harder a thing Is to get, the worse they want 1t. Oh. don't mistake! There's no sense in being offish. But there's no use running after them, believe me! You'll only scare 'em to death!"
 But I'm not" began Iris, painfully conscious of having come alone for the express purpose of giving Pedro the greater opportunity for sentiment.
 Then mind you dont!" said Cassie. rising as the door flew back to admit Pedro.
 'Madonna!" he cried. throwing the parcel that he carried upon the table and going to Iris with outstretched hands. II entreat your forgiveness, but there was no paint with which to make the divine blue-see. like this!" He swooped down upon a length of silk which lay near by and flung 1t upon her shoulder. T have it now, and you will not be angry because 1 was ab- sent, eh?'
 "Oh. no." she answered, beaming at the sound of his voice.
 He next turned to Cassie. the sight of whom did not disconcert him in the least, fact which Iris noted with re- lief.
 The cakes were wonderful!" he ex- claimed to the model. Not until a moment ago did I realize that you must have made them yourself. thank you!" He kissed her hand. You know this lady, Miss Wander pool?" he asked. taking her to Iris. This is friend who has been so good to mel"
 She has been kind to me, also" said Iris.
 An! she is your friend, Madonna? That is good! did not know How ever we will get to work now if you are willing. Step upon the platform. sol"
 Cassie. having gathered up the re- mains of the little cakes. to which Pe- dro had evidently referred, was about to take a reluctant departure, when Iris. turning around under Pedro's guidance. stopped her with a gesture.
 Don't go away she said shyly, moved by an impulse she could not have defined. If you are not too busy, won't you sit in here? You will give me confidence"
 All right, I'd just as soon," she re- marked nonchalantly.
 The elder girl went silently to the bookcase and stood covertly watching the painter. who already seemed to have forgotten the women.
 Before many minutes had passed Iris herself became aware of Pedro's detachment, and knew that she need ed no guardian to protect her from this abstracted spirit. who. with ear nest brow, labored so devoutly at the rudiments of his work; knew, also, that the smaller conventions of life had no existence in his mind. and that he had noted her request to Cassie as little as he had noted the fact of her originally having come alone.
 The morning wore on very quietly. and in the rests little was said