A Commission for a Portrait: A Confrontation with Mr. Boxsious

In this passage, the first-person narrator, who is an artist, is limited in their ability to directly report conversations between other characters. However, the author overcomes this limitation by having Mr. Boxsious make a direct comment to the artist, which allows the reader to witness the dialogue and interaction between the two characters.

By using dialogue between Boxsious and the artist, the author effectively conveys Boxsious' confrontational manner and personality to the reader. This interaction adds depth to the story and creates tension between the characters, making the narrative more engaging and dynamic.

Therefore, Boxsious' comment serves as a clever device to overcome the constraints of a first-person narrator and provide insight into the personalities and relationships within the story.