"
"I do--a good deal," answered Malcolm. "But please tell me what
you painted this for."
Then Lenorme told him the parable of Novalis, and Malcolm saw what
the poet meant. He stood staring at the picture, and Lenorme sat
working away, but a little anxious--he hardly knew why: had he
bethought himself he would have put the picture out of sight before
Malcolm came.
"You wouldn't be offended if I made a remark, would you, Mr Lenorme?"
said Malcolm at length.
"Certainly not," replied Lenorme, something afraid nevertheless of
what might be coming.
"I don't know whether I can express what I mean," said Malcolm,
"but I'll try. I could do it better in Scotch, I believe, but then
you wouldn't understand me."
"I think I should," said Lenorme. "I spent six months in Edinburgh
once."
"Ow ay! but ye see they dinna thraw the words there jist the same
gait they du at Portlossie. Na, na! I maunna attemp' it."
"Hold, hold!" cried Lenorme. "I want to have your criticism. I
don't understand a word you are saying. You must make the best you
can of the English."
"I was only telling you in Scotch that I wouldn't try the Scotch,"
returned Malcolm. "Now I will try the English.--In the first
place, then--but really it's very presumptuous of me, Mr Lenorme;
and it may be that I am blind to something in the picture.
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