'VE changed the appearance of the mongoose," said the Artist to the Pedant as the two gentlemen were waiting for breakfast to be served at the Depictors Club, of which the Artist is a member. Having said this, the Artist proffered a pen-and-ink sketch of the head of a mongoose, here reproduced at the right.
(See Plate 2 for a reproduction of the previous study which was mentioned by the Artist.).
"I entirely agree that the new study appears to differ markedly with respect to posture and feature from the previous study, but it would be helpful if you could elucidate the variations in composition, detail, and form which give rise to the apparent differences which I am able to discern," said the Pedant.
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- "Firstly," explained the Artist, "the eyes of the mongoose have been reduced in size. Small eyes tend to convey a quality of truculence, in my opinion."
- "Secondly," continued the Artist, "the position of the head has been changed from vertical to slightly oblique, thereby suggesting that the mongoose is turning his head toward the viewer to the extent permitted by the powerful muscles of his neck, that is, his head is turning in the guardant posture."
- "Thirdly, the mongoose's neck has been slightly thickened with respect to the width of his head, thereby suggesting that belts of formidable muscle and sinew underly the smooth fur of his coat. Observe, however, that the thickening of the neck is not so pronounced such as to detract from the sinuous character of the animal."
At this point, the colloquy was interrupted by the arrival of the club's waiter, who had wheeled up a serving cart bearing the Artist's order of Fried Eggs, Fried Potatoes and Grilled Sausage, and the Pedant's order of Steamed Haddock with Poached Eggs.
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