Part 42 (1/2)
”It will be a fortune to the poor man,” said Paul, joyfully.
”When shall you see him?”
”To-night.”
”Then I will give you the money to hand to him. Besides, I will give him a note to Goupil, who will allow him to exhibit the other picture in his store. That may secure its sale.”
”Thank you, Mr. Preston. You will do him a great kindness.”
Paul left the picture of which he had disposed, and, taking the other under his arm, went back to the necktie stand. He felt an honest pleasure in the thought of the happiness he was about to confer upon the poor artist. ”It will set him on his feet,” he thought.
CHAPTER XXV.
MR. TALBOT'S RETURN.
”Jimmy,” said Paul, on reaching home, ”there is a gentleman coming to see you this evening.”
”A gentleman--to see me?” repeated the little boy, in surprise.
”Yes. Mr. Henderson.”
”But I don't know him.”
”You will know him very soon. He is an artist, and is going to give you lessons.”
”How good you are, Paul!” said Jimmy, joyfully; ”but,” he added, considerately, ”won't you have to pay him a good deal?”
”No; he is a poor man, and it is partly to help him that I have engaged him to give you lessons. I expect him in an hour. So get out your best drawings, so that he will see how far you are advanced.”
”Does he paint pictures? I should like to see some of them.”
”I have one with me.”
”Oh, let me see it!”
Paul removed the paper from the painting he had brought with him, and displayed it to his little brother.
”It is beautiful, Paul. I wonder if I can ever paint such a nice picture.”
”No doubt you can, if you study faithfully. I brought away another of Mr. Henderson's pictures, which I like better than this, but I have sold it to Mr. Preston.”
”How much did you get for it?”
”Fifty dollars.”
”Isn't that a large price?” asked Mrs. Hoffman.
”Not for a good picture. I dare say Jimmy will by and by be charging as much as that for a picture.”
”I hope so, Paul. I would like to earn some money.”