those of his brother Jonas, which were dark
and sharp and button-bright. (It was to Roger's
son that Jonas had so magnificently sold the hardware
business.) Roger was known in Canaan as
"the artist"; there had never been another of his
profession in the place, and the town knew not the
word "painter," except in application to the useful
artisan who is subject to lead-poisoning. There
was no indication of his profession in the attire of
Mr. Tabor, unless the too apparent age of his
black felt hat and a neat patch at the elbow of his
shiny, old brown overcoat might have been taken
as symbols of the sacrifice to his muse which his
life had been. He was not a constant attendant
of the conclave, and when he came it was usually
to listen; indeed, he spoke so seldom that at the
sound of his voice they all turned to him with
some surprise.

"I suppose," he began, "that Eskew means the
devil is behind all beautiful things."

"Ugly ones, too," said Mr. Arp, with a start of
recollection. "And I wish to state--"

"Not now!" Colonel Flitcroft turned upon him
violently. "You've already stated it."

"Then, if he is behind the ugly things, too," said
Roger, "we must take him either way, so let us be