Isn't that pretty good for a start ?" Colonel Mallett sat up straighter with a glimmer of interest in his eyes.
Duane went on, checking off on his fingers: "I got fifteen hundred for Mrs.Varick's portrait, the same for Mrs.
James Cray's, a thousand each for portraits of Carl and Friedrich Gumble; that makes five thousand.

Then I had three thousand for the music-room I did for Mrs.Ellis; and Dinklespiel Brothers, who handle my pictures, have sold every one I sent; which gives me twelve thousand so far." "I am perfectly astonished," murmured his father.
Duane laughed.

"Oh, I know very well that sheer merit had nothing much to do with it.

The people who gave me orders are all your friends.

They did it as they might have sent in wedding presents; I am your son; I come back from Paris; it's up to them to do something.