"
"The patience of the artist! It always astounds me!" exclaimed the
President. "Miss Allen, I am not a rich man, but I have some wealthy
friends. I have one friend in particular, a self-made man, of enormous
wealth. The interest he and I have in common is American history in
all its aspects. It seems to me that you are doing a truly important
work. I want you to let this friend of mine fund you so that you may
give all your time to your photography."
"Oh, Mr. President, I don't need funds!" protested Diana. "There is no
hurry. This is my life work. Let me take a life-time for it, if
necessary."
"That is all very well, Miss Allen, but what if you die, before you
have finished? No one could complete your work because no one has your
peculiar combination of information and artistic ability. People like
you, my dear, belong not to themselves, but to the country."
Enoch spoke suddenly. "Why not arrange the matter with the Indian
Bureau, Mr. President?"
"Why not arrange it with the Circumlocution Office!" exclaimed the
President. "I'm surprised at you, Huntingdon! You know what the
budget and red tape of Washington does to a temperament like Miss
Allen's. On the other hand, here is my friend, who would give her
absolutely free rein and take an intense pride in providing the money.
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