`` Now I am perfectly satisfied with my Apollo , though you all insist that it is the image of Theodore Smythe . He says so himself , and assures me it will make a sensation when we exhibit , '' remarked Miss Larkins , complacently caressing the ambrosial locks of her Smythified Phebus . `` What shall you do if it does not ? '' asked Miss Cutter , with elegance . `` I shall feel that I have mistaken my sphere , shall drop my tools , veil my bust , and cast myself into the arms of Nature , since Art rejects me ; '' replied Miss Larkins , with a tragic gesture and an expression which strongly suggested that in her eyes nature meant Theodore . `` She must have capacious arms if she is to receive all Art 's rejected admirers . Shall I be one of them ? '' Psyche put the question to herself as she turned to work , but somehow ambitious aspirations were not in a flourishing condition that morning ; her heart was not in tune , and head and hands sympathized . Nothing went well , for certain neglected home-duties had dogged her into town , and now worried her more than dust , or heat , or the ceaseless clatter of tongues . Tom , Dick , and Harry 's unmended hose persisted in dancing a spectral jig before her mental eye , mother 's querulous complaints spoilt the song she hummed to cheer herself , and little May 's wistful face put the goddess of beauty entirely out of countenance . `` It 's no use ; I ca n't work till the clay is wet again . Where is Giovanni ? '' she asked , throwing down her tools with a petulant gesture and a dejected air . `` He is probably playing truant in the empty upper rooms , as usual . I ca n't wait for him any longer , so I 'm doing his work myself , '' answered Miss Dickenson , who was tenderly winding a wet bandage round her Juno 's face , one side of which was so much plumper than the other that it looked as if the Queen of Olympus was being hydropathically treated for a severe fit of ague . `` I 'll go and find the little scamp ; a run will do me good ; so will a breath of air and a view of the park from the upper windows . '' Doffing her apron , Psyche strolled away up an unfrequented staircase to the empty apartments , which seemed to be too high even for the lovers of High Art . On the western side they were shady and cool , and , leaning from one of the windows , Psyche watched the feathery tree-tops ruffled by the balmy wind , that brought spring odors from the hills , lying green and sunny far away . Silence and solitude were such pleasant companions that the girl forgot herself , till a shrill whistle disturbed her day-dreams , and reminded her what she came for . Following the sound she found the little Italian errand-boy busily uncovering a clay model which stood in the middle of a scantily furnished room near by .
`` He is not here ; come and look ; it is greatly beautiful , '' cried XXXXX , beckoning with an air of importance .
Dickenson Giovanni Juno Larkins Olympus Tom day-dreams home-duties morning tree-tops