112 AN ANGLER AT LARGE 



My picture is easily the best, regarded purely as a 

 work of art. Mrs. Stiggins's brother was in the 

 cottage when I called about a collar that was 

 missing from last week's wash. He lives opposite 

 to Mrs. Stiggins. He asked me if this might be 

 one of the houses hereabouts. I believe him to 

 be a trout-poacher, and I am sure that that was 

 my collar which I saw round his neck. 



Since I gave the picture to Mrs. Stiggins nobody 

 has looked over my shoulder while I have been 

 working. I expect they think that it would look 

 like hinting. 



When I come in from painting luncheon has 

 been ready for some minutes. Any other woman 

 would complain, but my wife does not. She is 

 too anxious to see my picture. She has a very 

 keen eye for the virtues of my work, and I never 

 go wholly lacking a word of praise. It is comfort- 

 ing, as I wrestle, sometimes rather hopelessly, with 

 the problems which I set myself, to know that 

 the result is sure of a kind reception. The interest 

 she takes in them doubles the joy of my labours. 

 I am very like a child making mud pies and 



