23rd.--... Began work about eleven, at changing the cloak of the female in converse with the page, from grey to reddish brown--did more than half.... Found the brown-red tint did not suit: so, at much cost of rag, I wiped it off, and hit, I don’t know how, on a peculiar kind of blue, which seemed to me to improve the picture much--_nous verrons demain_. This was a change suggested by Robert Dickinson; who however proposed black, which would have spoiled the picture. Worked till dark in excellent spirits, the weather being, however, much against doing any good. Bought a hood and cloak for my son, and embroidery for a frock for him. Did not get home till nine in consequence; and, being tired and dinnerless, I was very sulky, and abused every one. The cloak was not to my taste; I had proposed to have one made after my own design. Smoked, filled up my account.... 24th.--... To work by twelve at the grey cloak; found the colour not so good as I thought it; changed it to a greener hue.... Set my accounts in order; find the little brute Oliver has cost £7. 15s. for clothes; I am an ass.... 27th.--... Called on Seddon, who strongly urged me to call on Windus of Tottenham.... 28th.--... Worked at the pages on each side of Chaucer, etc. etc.; and determined to do no more, as it must dry; so left the sky all covered with finger-marks. 1st March.--Wasted the morning writing letters to Windus and others, and then worked on the _Waiting_ picture, which is now to be _An English Fireside of 1854-5_: did not much good. 2nd.--Up at nine. I have sold one of the three works I sent to the Winter Exhibition--the _Studies of Heads_: I think it was £10 I put on it. This pleased me. Wrote an order for the other two. Walked to the draper’s, to buy things for Emma, and to see about registering Oliver. Dined, and did hardly any work, like a most extreme fool; my time being now exquisitely precious, having only one month to finish _The Last of England_ for the R.A. Put my accounts to rights. A letter from Windus that shows favourably; I am to call on him on Tuesday. Man came and registered “Oliver Madox Brown.” 3rd.--Worked at _English Fireside_; finished all but head. Cough bad. 4th.--Last night I woke with excruciating pain in my chest, and almost fainted in bed. Slept again, and in the morning ditto, so lay in bed--got up towards evening. Arranged frames for the second _Windermere_, which I will cut down like the other Windus has. Took my first chalk drawing of _Chaucer_ out of my book of sketches, and settled to send it to be mounted and framed; ditto with the water-colour of the Fresco which Haydon admired[110]....