to putting my girl, and incidentally my whole family, in competition with
an Indian squaw on a question of art, naturally, her father and one of her
best friends would want to be present."

"But maybe 'Minnie' went alone, and what chance would her work have with
you two for judges?" asked Leslie.

"We needn't be the judges," said Douglas Bruce quietly.

"We can put this basket in the basement in a cool, damp place, where it
will keep perfectly for a week. When you make your basket we can find the
squaw and bring her down with us. Lowry could display the results side by
side. He could call up whomever you consider the most artistic man and
woman in the city and get their decision. You'd be willing to abide by
that, wouldn't you?"

"Surely, but it wouldn't be fair to the squaw," explained Leslie. "I'd
have had the benefit of her art to begin on."

"It would," said Mr. Winton. "Does not every artist living, painter,
sculptor, writer, what you will, have the benefit of all art that has gone
before?"

"You agree?" Leslie turned to Douglas.

"Your father's argument is a truism."

"But I will know that I am on trial. She didn't. Is it fair to her?"
persisted Leslie.