"In this case, the genius is unusually modest," assented she, getting
rather white. "Unfortunately for myself, senator, I did not paint the
'ravening wolves' which caught your fancy. It would be utterly beyond
my brush."

A glimmering of the truth came to Dunk, and his eyes narrowed.

"Who did paint it for you? Your friend, Chip?"

The Little Doctor caught her breath at the venomous accent he employed,
and the Old Man half rose from his chair. But Della could fight her
own battles. She stood up and faced Dunk, tight-lipped and proud.

"Yes, Mr. Whitaker, my friend, Mr. Bennett, of whose friendship I am
rather proud, painted the best part of 'The Last Stand.'"

"Senator Blake must forgive my being misled by your previous statement
that the picture was yours," sneered Dunk.

"I made no previous statement, Mr. Whitaker." The Little Doctor's tone
was sweetly freezing. "I said that the picture which I had begun was
finished, and I invited you all to look at it. It was your misfortune
that you took too much for granted."

"It's a mistake to take anything for granted where a woman is concerned.
At the same time I shouldn't be blamed if I take it for granted Chip--"

"Suppose you say the rest to me, Dunk," suggested Chip from the doorway,
where he leaned heavily upon his cane. "It begins to look as though I
held a hand in this game."