"I beg respectfully to decline the commission, Tommy would require a Landseer to do full justice to his attitudes and expression.

Besides, it would be demoralising to an innocent and well-brought-up youth, such as you know me to be, to spend long hours in Tommy's society, listening to the remarks that sweet bird would make while I painted him.

But I will tell you what I will do.

I will paint you, dear Duchess, only not in that hat! Ever since I was quite a small boy, a straw hat with black ribbons tied under the chin has made me feel ill.

If I yielded to my natural impulses now, I should hide my face in Miss Champion's lap, and kick and scream until you took it off.