«And getting eviler each year. We won't look at any others — usually I ration myself to one a day.»
«Suits. I feel as if I had had three quick drinks. Jubal, why isn't there stuff like this where a person can see it?»
«Because the world has gone nutty and art always paints the spirit of its times. Rodin died about the time the world started flipping its lid. His successors noted the amazing things he had done with light and shadow and mass and composition and they copied that part. What they failed to see was that the master told stories that laid bare the human heart. They became contemptuous of painting or sculpture that told stones — they dubbed such work “literary”. They went all out for abstractions.»
Jubal shrugged. «Abstract design is all right — for wallpaper or linoleum. But
«Jubal, I've always wondered why I didn't give a hoot for art. I thought it was something missing in
«Mmm, one does have to learn to look at art. But it's up to the artist to use language that can be understood. Most of these jokers don't
«Huh? You write a fair stick.»
«Thank you. “Artist” is a word I avoid for the same reason I hate to be called “Doctor”. But I
«Jubal, I'm unhappy.»
«This is news?»
«I've got a fresh set of troubles.» Ben frowned. «I'm not sure I want to talk about them.»
«Then listen to
«
«Hmm, sometime I must tell you about my married life. Yes, I've got troubles. Duke has left — or did you know?»
«I knew.»
«Larry is a good gardener — but the gadgets that run this hogan are falling to pieces. Good mechanics are scarce. Ones that will fit into this household are almost non-existent. I'm limping along on repairmen — every visit a disturbance, all of them with larceny in their hearts, and most of them can't use a screw driver without cutting themselves. Nor can I, so I'm at their mercy.»
«My heart aches for you, Jubal.»
«Never mind the sarcasm. Mechanics and gardeners are convenient; secretaries are essential. Two of mine are pregnant, one is getting married.»
Caxton looked flabbergasted. Jubal growled, «Oh, I'm not telling tales. They're sore because I took you up here without giving them time to boast. So be surprised when they tell you.»
«Uh, which one is getting married?»
«Isn't that obvious? The happy man is that smooth-talking refugee from a sand storm, our esteemed water brother Stinky Mahmoud. I told him that they have to live here whenever they're in this country. Bastard laughed and pointed out that I had invited him to, long ago.» Jubal sniffed. «Wouldn't be so bad if he would. I might get some work out of her.»
«You probably would. She likes to work. The other two are pregnant?»
«Higher 'n a kite. I'm refreshing in O.B. because they say they're going to have 'em at home. What a crimp babies will put in my working habits! But why do you assume that neither turgescent tummy belongs to the bride?»
«Why, I assumed that Stinky was more conventional than that… or more cautious.»
«Stinky wouldn't be given a ballot. Ben, in all the years I have studied this subject, trying to trace the meanderings of their twisty little minds, the only thing I have learned is that when a gal is gonna, she's gonna. All a man can do is cooperate with the inevitable.»
«Well, which one isn't getting married or anything? Miriam? Or Anne?»
«Hold it, I didn't say the bride was pregnant … and you seem to be thinking that Dorcas is the prospective bride. It's Miriam who is studying Arabic.»
«Huh? I'm a cross-eyed baboon!»
«Obviously.»
«But Miriam was always snapping at Stinky — »
«And they trust you with a newspaper column — Ever watch a bunch of sixth-graders?»