"That great picture on the right, there," pursued he, "is Mrs.
Ellen Marsviin; I purchased it at an auction.

One of the peasants put up for it; I asked him what he would do with this big piece of furniture--he could never get it in through his door.

But do you know what a speculation he had?
It was not such a bad one, after all.

See! the rain runs so beautifully off the painted canvas, he would have a pair of breeches made out of it, to wear in rainy weather behind the plough; they would keep the rain off! I thought, however, I ought to prevent the portrait of the highly honorable Mrs.Ellen Marsviin being so profaned.

I bought it: now she hangs there, and looks tolerably well pleased.