CHAPTER XXXIV

different.Shebeganfillingabasketwitharbutus. “AllanTierney.Hewantstopaintyou,Moonlight.” “Me!”Valancydroppedherbasketandherarbutus.“You’relaughingatme,Barney.” “I’mnot.That’swhatTierneycamefor.Toaskmypermissiontopaintmywife—astheSpiritofMuskoka,orsomethinglikethat.” “But—but—”stammeredValancy,“AllanTierneyneverpaintsanybut—anybut——” “Beautifulwomen,”finishedBarney.“Conceded.Q.E.D.,MistressBarneySnaithisabeautifulwoman.” “Nonsense,”saidValancy,stoopingtoretrieveherarbutus.“Youknowthat’snonsense,Barney.IknowI’maheapbetter-lookingthanIwasayearago,butI’mnotbeautiful.” “AllanTierneynevermakesamistake,”saidBarney.“Youforget,Moonlight,thattherearedifferentkindsofbeauty.YourimaginationisobsessedbytheveryobvioustypeofyourcousinOlive.Oh,I’veseenher—she’sastunner—butyou’dnevercatchAllanTierneywantingtopainther.Inthehorriblebutexpressiveslangphrase,shekeepsallhergoodsintheshop-window.Butinyoursubconsciousmindyouhaveaconvictionthatnobodycanbebeautifulwhodoesn’tlooklikeOlive.Also,yourememberyourfaceasi