And he put up to me your suggestion about a private exhibition.
And I fell for it. And I've got to go back among the people I used to
know. And wear good clothes and put on a set of standardized good
manners. Hell!"
"You don't like it?"
"I suppose, if the exhibition is a go, I'll like grinning at the bunch
that thought I couldn't paint. You bet I'll like that! You, young
fellow--I suppose you're here to gloat over me and to try to collect
your five thousand."
"I never gloat over doing such an easy job as that was. And I'm not
here to collect my bet. As far as money is concerned, I'm here to give
you some." And he handed Hunt the check made out to "cash" which Mr.
Graham had sent him for the Italian mother.
"Better keep that on account of what I owe you," advised Hunt.
"I'd rather you'd hold it for me. And better still, I'd rather call
the bet off in favor of a new bargain."
"What's the new proposition for swindling me?"
"You need a business nursemaid. What commission do you pay dealers?"
"Been paying those burglars forty per cent."
"That's too much for doing nothing. Here's my proposition. Give me ten
per cent to act as your personal agent, and I'll guarantee that your
total percentage for commissions will be less than at present, and
that your prices will be doubled.
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