The White Shield

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Reed Myrtle. The White Shield

Preface

The White Shield

An International Affair

A Child of Silence

The Dweller in Bohemia

A Minor Chord

The Madonna of the Tambourine

A Mistress of Art

A Rosary of Tears

The Roses and the Song

A Laggard in Love

Träumerei

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

The Face of the Master

A Reasonable Courtship

Elmiry Ann's Valentine

The Knighthood of Tony

Her Volunteer

In Reflected Glory

The House Beautiful

From a Human Standpoint

Отрывок из книги

People said that Joe Hayward's pictures "lacked something." Even the critics, who know everything, were at a loss to find where the deficiency might be. Hayward, himself, worked hard studying the masters, patiently correcting faults in colour and perspective, and succeeding after a fashion. But he felt that art, in its highest and best sense, was utterly beyond him; there was a haunting elusive something which was continually beyond his reach.

Occasionally, when he sold a picture, he would give "a time" to a dozen artist chums from studios near by, as they did, whenever fortune favoured them; after this he would paint again, on and on, with a really tremendous perseverance.

.....

Hayward was seriously tempted. He knew what "the time" would mean – the ecstasy of it and the dull penalties which would follow. But that day by the river came into his memory: a sweet sunlit face, and a woman's voice saying to him: "When a man's art is true, it is because he himself is true."

"Jennings," he said, "do I look like a man who would make good company at a champagne supper? You know what's the matter with me. Why don't you just sensibly drop me?"

.....