A London Picnic 14.5

in a sky full of broken cloud. But it was
evidently a real city, and you could tell the
Artist must have known it well who could
draw it in so many aspects and yet compel
you to recognise that it was always the
same city he was depicting. As to the
bird, it was a monstrous creature, terrifying
of aspect, albeit the pictures showed it for
ever engaged in the performance of some
useful task, whose object was usually the
pleasing of the children of the City Beauti-
ful.

‘“Do you know the story?” said Doris,
appealing to the Visitor as the last drawing
was inspected.

“T suppose I could tell it,” was the
answer. “The Artist won't.”

“T should be most happy
Artist.

‘“‘T shall have to tell you myself,” said
the Visitor, and as he settled to his task,
the Artist and the child were equally intent
upon the narrative, as if it were new to

both.

 

” began. the

K