Bring on the next."
* * * * *
A silence came over Louis. He stood for several minutes staring at
something.
"Hurry up," called Mike. "It's getting late."
"This is a mistake," called Louis. "Here's one that's a mistake."
"How come, Louis?"
"Well, look at it. You can see for yourself. The guy made a mistake."
"What does it read on the back? Hurry, we can't waste no more time."
"It reads 'Up, Down and Across' or something. It's a mistake though."
Louis remained eyeing the canvas raptly. "It ain't finished, Mike. We
ought to send it back."
"Let's see, Louis." Time out for critical inspection. "You're right. It is
a mistake. 'Up, Down and Across,' you said. Well, we'll let it ride. It's
not our fault. What's the name of the guy?"
"Bert Elliott," called Louis. A laugh followed. Louis turned to me and my
friend.
"You see this?" he said. "I get it now. That's the Wrigley Building over
there. What do you know about that?"
Louis seized his sides and doubled up. Mr. Elliott, beside me, cleared his
throat and glanced apprehensively at his canvas.
"I'll say it's the first one he laughed at," said Mr. Elliott, pensively.
"He didn't laugh at any of the others.
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