* * *
Bengal returned to the show later, drawn by some force that he couldn’t identify. In the gallery he met a short man who was limping from picture to picture with the help of a cane.
“Very interesting work,” Chuck Stone said to him. “Yours are they?”
“Why yes they are,” Bengal replied. “Are you a dealer?”
“No, that’s more than I can manage.”
“A collector then?”
“To a limited extent. My main interest is that I also put brush to canvas.”
“How nice. Do you live in the area? I don’t remember running into you before,” Bengal said unenthusiastically.
“I live and work locally but I sell quietly and without publicity. I don’t have the personality for cultivating the critics, dealers, and the customers so I’ll never make it big on my own in the conventional manner.”
“Might I have seen some of your work somewhere? Some of the competitions or the galleries? What kind of things do you do, Mister... eh, what did you say the name was?”
“I didn’t. You wouldn’t recognize it anyway. Since you’re not likely to see if anywhere so it’s not important. It rhymes with Zinger.”
Bengal jumped at that name but the man went on as if nothing had happened.
“I do rather like these,” Stone said gesturing to the group of new paintings. “I rather like these indeed.”
Bengal looked very intently at the little man. “Do you sell your work through one of the local galleries?”
“The Chestershire mostly,” Stone replied.
“Sold anything lately?”
“Why yes, I’m happy to say. I’m working on several new things at the moment too. Keeps me occupied full time. I understand there’s a growing demand for some of my works.”
“Delighted to hear it,” Bengal said, more at ease now. “I’m also glad to hear that you’re working to meet the demand.”
“Yes, well I had best get on my way. It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”
“The pleasure is mutual, I assure you,” Bengal said as he warmly shook Stone’s hand. “Good health and long, productive years to you.”
“And to you,” Stone replied with a wink.
Squirrel Bait and Other Stories Page 16
