Asked about standing still for a portrait painter
six hours in a stuffy room
only a glass of stale water
and a teacake to sustain you:

It was horrid.
I had an itch on my nose
but was forbidden to make any small movements.

Why did you agree to be painted?

I did not agree to anything, I was made to.
In fact I was a most disagreeable child.

Who made you?

My grandmama.
She wanted me to be painted in an easy,
careless manner.

But you were not an easy, careless child.