‘It’s not very commercial, is it?’ she said. ‘But it was something I felt I wanted to say about her that I couldn’t express in any other way. It’s a purely personal picture of my own mind. Can you see at all what I meant?’
‘I can.’ Mr Campion felt oddly elated. ‘I don’t know why. Leave it here for a bit.’
‘No, my dear, I mustn’t.’ Minnie was already half-way up the staircase. ‘I shall only get keen on it and that really would be fatal. It’s not permitted just now. A pity, but there it is.’
‘Who won’t permit it?’ demanded Mr Campion.
‘Circumstances.’ Minnie ran up the stairs and vanished into the smaller studio behind the balcony.
‘Circumstances, my boot!’ said Tonker. ‘It’s my fault again.’ He was sitting in the shabby armchair which he had pulled out from the wall the better to admir
