The Thorough Man
times, I shall have to make a number of full sized drawings, with perforated outlines, to transfer the design to the walls,' said Owen, and he proceeded to explain laboriously the processes.
Nimrod looked at him suspiciously. 'Is all that really necessary?' he asked. 'Couldn't you just copy it on the wall, freehand?'
'No, that wouldn't do. It would take much longer that way.'
This consideration appealed to Misery.
'Ah, well,' he sighed, 'I s'pose you'll 'ave to do it the way you said; but for Gord's sake don't spend too much time over it, because we've took it very cheap. We only took it on so as you could 'ave a job, not that we expect to make any profit out of it.'
'And I shall have to cut some stencils, so I shall need several sheets of cartridge paper.'
Upon hearing of this additional expense Misery's long visage appeared to become several inches longer; but after a moment's thought he brightened up.
'I'll tell you what!' he exclaimed, with a cunning leer. 'There's lots of odd rolls of old wallpaper down at the shop, couldn't you manage with some of that?'
'I'm afraid it wouldn't do,' replied Owen, doubtfully, 'but I'll have a look at it, and if possible I'll use it.'
'Yes, do!' said Misery, pleased at the thought of saving something. 'Call at the shop on your way home to-night, and we'll see what we can find. 'Ow long do you think it'll take you to make the drorins and the stencils?'
'Well, to-day's Thursday. If you let someone else help Easton prepare the room, I think I can get them done in time to bring them with me on Monday morning.'
'Wot do yer mean: "bring them with you"?' demanded Nimrod.
'I shall have to do them at home, you know.'
'Do 'em at 'ome! Why can't you do 'em 'ere?'
'Well, there's no table, for one thing.'
'Oh, but we can soon fit you out with a table. You can 'ave a pair of paperhanger's trestles and boards, for that matter.'
'I have a lot of sketches and things at home that I couldn't very well bring here,' said Owen.
Misery argued about it for a long time, insisting that the drawings should be made either on the 'job' or at the paint
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