第268页 / 共490页

"I am so sorry you have given yourself the trouble of coming

round, Mr. Hubbard. I shall certainly drop in and look at the

frame-though I don't go in much at present for religious art-but

to-day I only want a picture carried to the top of the house for

me. It is rather heavy, so I thought I would ask you to lend me a

couple of your men."

"No trouble at all, Mr. Gray. I am delighted to be of any service

to you. Which is the work of art, sir?"

"This," replied Dorian, moving the screen back. "Can you move it,

covering and all, just as it is? I don't want it to get scratched

going upstairs."

"There will be no difficulty, sir," said the genial frame-maker,

beginning, with the aid of his assistant, to unhook the picture

from the long brass chains by which it was suspended. "And, now,

where shall we carry it to, Mr. Gray?"