畫家、貴族、國王 - 古德明

畫家、貴族、國王 - 古德明

A patronising young lord was once seated opposite James Whistler,* the famous painter, at dinner one evening. During a lull in the conversation, he leaned toward the artist and said, "Aw, you know, Mr Whistler, I passed your house this morning."
"Thank you," said Whistler, "thank you very much."
* * * *
Whistler was in Paris at the time of the coronation of King Edward. At a reception a duchess said to him, "I believe you know King Edward, Mr Whistler?"
"No, madame," replied Whistler.
"Why, that's odd. I met the king at a dinner party last year, and he said he knew you."
"Oh," said Whistler, "that was his brag."
一個貴族少年,對人一副紆尊降貴神氣,一天晚宴上,和著名畫家詹姆斯.惠斯勒*對面而坐。席上談言稍歇,那少年就把身子傾向前,跟惠斯勒說:「啊,惠斯勒先生,我今早路過你的居所。」
惠斯勒說:「謝謝,我非常感謝。」
* * * *
英國國王愛德華登極的時候,惠斯勒身在巴黎。一個招待會上,某公爵夫人跟他說:「惠斯勒先生,你認識愛德華國王,對嗎?」
惠斯勒說:「夫人,我不認識他。」
「那真奇怪。去年,我在晚宴上見到他,他說認識你。」
惠斯勒說:「啊,他自吹自擂而已。」
*惠斯勒生於一八三四年,卒於一九零三年。