I dined in Brooklyn and spoke afterwards at the Twentieth Century
Club. This had been arranged for me by Mr. Keedick. I asked what sort
of audience I should have to talk to, (meaning would it be radical,
reactionary, artistic, or semitic--) and was told they were “ladies and
gentlemen!” Thus illuminated I trimmed my sails accordingly. I dined
with some charming people first, and to my astonishment, there was a
most beautiful Sir Joshua in the drawing-room. It was a lovely nude
bacchante, and at her feet a little faun playing the flute. I asked
incredulously, “Is that a real Sir Joshua?” My hostess answered, “Yes,
and I confess I am very fond of it, though I never should have thought
I could have a nude in my drawing-room, especially with a daughter
growing up.”