The Housepainter's Recreation

The housepainter goes to barswhere interesting women askhim what he does. He says—I paint. They treat himwith respect, even awe; they seebrown paint under his nailsand imagine he paints darkcanvases, full of angstand gloom and sorrow. He smilessadly when they talk to him.One offers to pose, but he says—I don't do people. She understands.