were allowed in the Corcoran exhibit or school. This Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool easily ascertained and a certain sense of justice combined in a curious way with her political intrigue to bring about the undoing of Mary Cresswell.
Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool‚Äôs very first cautious inquiries by way of the back stairs brought gratifying response‚ÅÝ‚Äîfor did not all black Washington know well of the work in sculpture done by Mrs. ¬ÝSamuel Stillings, n√©e Wynn?
Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool remembered Mrs. ¬ÝStillings perfectly, and she walked, that evening, through unobtrusive thoroughfares and called on Mrs. ¬ÝStillings.
Had Mrs. ¬ÝStillings heard of the new art movement? Did she intend to exhibit?
Mrs. ¬ÝStillings did not intend to exhibit as she was sure she would not be welcome. She had had a bust accepted by the Corcoran Art Gallery once, and when they found she was colored they returned it.
But if she were especially invited? That would make a difference, although even then the line would be drawn somehow.
‚ÄúWould it not be worth a fight?‚Äù suggested Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool with a little heightening of color in her pale cheek.
‚ÄúPerhaps,‚Äù said Mrs. ¬ÝStillings, as she brought out some specimens of her work.
Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool was both ashamed and grateful. With money and leisure Mrs. ¬ÝStillings had been able to get in New York and Boston the training she had been denied in Washington on account of her color. The things she exhibited really had merit and one curiously original group appealed to Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool tremendously.