Part 42 (2/2)
”You are too young to earn money now, Jimmy. That will come in good time.”
Soon after the supper table was cleared Mr. Henderson called.
”I am glad to see you, Mr. Henderson,” said Paul, cordially. ”This is my mother, Mrs. Hoffman, and here is the young scholar I told you of.”
Jimmy looked up shyly.
”He has seen your picture and likes it. By the way, I have sold one of your pictures--the one introducing the children.”
”Thank you for your kindness,” said the artist, his face brightening.
”You have done what I could not do, and it will give me very welcome aid.”
”I hope the price will be satisfactory,” said Paul.
”I did not expect much,” said Mr. Henderson, who inferred that the price obtained was small. ”I am unknown, and I have no right to expect much for my work.”
”I sold it to a friend of mine for fifty dollars,” continued Paul.
”Fifty dollars!” exclaimed the poor artist, hardly crediting the testimony of his ears.
”Yes,” said Paul, enjoying his surprise. ”Is it satisfactory?”
”Satisfactory! It is ten times as much as I expected. How can I ever thank you?” said Mr. Henderson, seizing Paul's hand in his fervent grat.i.tude.
”The purchaser is rich, and he has promised to speak a word to Goupil in your favor.”
”Heaven sent you to my help,” said the artist. ”What a change has a single day wrought! This morning I woke without a penny, and my poor child without bread. To-night I am rich, and Hope has once more visited me. I owe all my good fortune to you. Will you permit me to give lessons to your brother without charge?”
”No,” said Paul, decidedly. ”I think every one ought to be paid for their work. What I have done for you has given me very little trouble.
I am glad that I could help you. I know what it is to be poor, and most people would call me poor now; but I can earn enough for our expenses, and lay up something besides, so I do not feel poor. Now, Jimmy, go and bring your drawings, and show the gentleman.”
The drawings were brought, and, to Jimmy's delight, elicited warm approval from the artist.
”Your brother has great talent,” said he. ”I shall be very glad to have him for a pupil. It is much pleasanter to teach where the scholar has taste and talent. When would you like the lessons to begin?”
”As soon as possible. To-morrow, if you can come.”
”And at what time?”
”At any time. I suppose the day would be better.”
”Yes, it would be better, on account of the light. Besides, I like to be with my little daughter in the evening.”
”Have you a little daughter?” asked Mrs. Hoffman.
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