STORY IN PICTURES POLLY, PETER AND WALLABY

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1926, Page 21

STORY IN PICTURES POLLY, PETER AND WALLABY

Richard's portrait duly arrived back from the picture framers, and after much chatter and consideration, the chums found a nice place for it on the wall. They stood and gazed at it for a while, and then Gwendoline said: I wish he had painted me as well.” “So do I,” said Polly. Then Richard got an idea.

“I’ll tell you what,” he said suddenly. “I’ll paint both of you.” “Good gracious! 1 didn't know you were an artist, Richard,” cried Polly. “I’m not, really,” replied modest Richard. “But I was watching the painter and it’s very easy! I’ll borrow Peter’s paints and soon show you.” “You are clever,” said Gwendoline. But I think Polly was inclined to be incredulous.

There was a good deal of argument before Richard really commenced the portrait, but at last Polly and Gwendoline decided to be painted sitting on the couch. Then Richard objected that Gwendoline had taken up a very difficult position from the artist’s point of view. “Not at all, Richard,” said Polly. “All the best people are painted in a nonchalant attitude." Richard had to agree.

Poor Richard found painting a much more difficult task than he had imagined. But he laboured away most heroically. He began to think it took an awful lot of paint to make a picture. In fact, he got himself covered with it, and Wallaby had his share. But what annoyed him most was that Gwendoline and Polly would keep dropping off to sleep.

Weren't Gwendoline and Polly critical when they looked at the picture! “It’s a storm at sea!” cried Polly. "What’s this?” asked Gwendoline. “What do you mean—‘what's this’?” growled Richard. “You know It’s your portrait. “Well, I don’t think much of it,” said Gwendoline, who was rather disappointed. “1 thought you couldn’t paint."

Gwendoline's remarks were too much for poor Richard. ... . "It’s your fault for falling asleep,” he cried. “Take that! and he banged the canvas over Gwendoline's head. "Now you’ve spoilt the picture properly,” said Polly. But Richard was too angry to care. . . .... u. “Anyway,” he said afterwards, “if 1 had plenty of time I should soon be able to paint portraits." ... “Possibly," said Polly rather cynically, if you lived long enough. And Richard had to leave it at that.