"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."
"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 gratitude.
"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.