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Koppel, "but the Lathrop Gallery must have gone crazy too."
The painting was placed in the dark corner. Very few people noticed it.
During the exhibition the old man continued to take his lessons, but he spoke very little of his own picture. He was usually cheerful. Every time Swain entered he found Ellsworth laughing to himself. Maybe Koppel was right and the old man was crazy? But what about Lathrop Gallery? Was it crazy too?
Two days before the closing of the exhibition Mr. Ellsworth received a letter; Koppel brought it on a tray when Swain and the doctor were in the room. "Read it to me," said the old man. "My eyes are tired of painting."
Koppel took it and read, "It gives the Lathrop Gallery pleasure to announce that First Prize of 1000 dollars has been awarded to Mr. Ellsworth for his painting "Trees Dressed in White". Swain was too surprised to say anything, Dr. Caswell managed to say, "Congratulations, Mr. Ellsworth ... Fine... Fine. Well, now you see yourself that art is much more interesting than business."
"Art's rubbish," said the old man. "I bought the Lathrop Gallery last month."
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