Star-dust in Hollywood (1930)

Stardust in Hollywood head, body, and hands with awkward, timid gestures, " to want to know about me and my miniature-paintings. I'm sure I don't know what I can say to you about them, although, of course, my sitters were such interesting people. Now this gentleman, for instance," pointing vaguely, " oh, he was such a#*V*man. He said to me: 'Miss H , I've never been made a miniature of before.' Tes, he really said that. And I said : ' Oh, you only have to sit still, I do the rest.' And he laughed so much that I knew he was a really nice man. But it was most awkward. He would go to sleep. Oh ! I was so worried about it. Do you know I had to drop things to wake him up. But he was such a nice . . . Oh, yes, and that one was such a til nice young girl — I'm sure it was a pleasure /#deed to have the privilege of . . ." Thus she continued for twenty minutes. At last an air of anxiety showed in her face ; she hesitated. . . . " Oh," she cried suddenly, " I must show you this one though — it's the one / like best of all. In fact ..." She began to fumble in the bosom of her dress, gripped a slender, gold chain, and began to haul on it as if drawing a bucket from a well. At last up came a tiny medallion, which she held at the level of her chin. " Oh, she was such a darling," the lady miniaturist cried. " Only two years old, and I used to say ' ~Peeky-Boo ' to her all the time I was working, and it amused her so much. This is only a copy of the real one I did, her dear mother has that, of course. I just thought I'd have to show it to you, but . . ." A hint of confusion came [44] THE HIDDEN TREASURE