Howells relates that Bromfield was a painter who traveled to Rome, painted, and lived off his father. He made money only painting portraits, but, since he was wealthy, “It was absurd,” Howells tells us, “for him to paint portraits for pay and ridiculous to paint them for nothing; so he did not paint them at all.” Instead, Bromfield lived a life of seclusion, occasionally expounding on the theories of painting rather than practicing them.
The chapter ends with a few words between Mr. and Mrs. Lapham concerning Tom. “If I had that fellow in the business with me, I would make a man of him,” Silas says.
“Do you suppose a fellow like young Corey, brought up the way he’s been, would touch mineral paint with a ten-foot pole?” Mrs. Lapham jeers.
“Why not?” Silas haughtily replies.
Analysis
Tom’s need for something to do, his father’s avoidance of work, and Lapham’s desire to make a man of Tom are clearly predictions of Tom’s position with Lapham’s business. His father has nothing to suggest, whereas Lapham has a prosperous business to offer.
Tom’s comment that a rich girl would be no better than a poor girl if she did not have position is ironic, because, despite his ideal of marrying a socially acceptable rich girl, he marries Penelope, who is neither socially acceptable nor rich after her father’s financial downfall.
