"My. Reeves-Eggleston--he's on the stage--said artists was allers poor."

"That's one reason why I am not an artist--a great artist. I am hampered

by an inheritance that allows me to live without working, so I don't do

anything worth while. I only dabble at this and that. Some day, maybe,

I'll have an inspiration."

"Go to work now," she admonished.

"I must perforce. My model's foot is on the stair."

Amarilly left the studio to resume her cleaning. At five o'clock she

came back. Derry stood at the window, working furiously at some fleecy

clouds sailing over a cerulean sky. She was about to speak, but

discerning that he must work speedily and uninterruptedly to keep pace

with the shifting clouds, she refrained.

"There!" he said. "I got it. You were a good little girl not to

interrupt me, Amarilly."

"It's beautiful!" gasped Amarilly. "I was afeard you'd git the sky blue

instead of purplish and that you'd make the clouds too white."

"Amarilly, you've the soul of an artist! In you I have found a true

critic."

"Come and see if the rooms is all right. I got 'em real clean. Every

nook and corner. And--"

"I know you did, Amarilly, without looking. I can smell the clean from

here."

"If thar's nothin' more you want did, I'll go hum."

"Here's a dollar for the rooms and two dollars for the surplice.

Amarilly, you were glad to learn table manners from Miss King, weren't

you?"

"Yes; I like to larn all I kin."

"Then, will you let me teach you something?"

"Sure!" she acquiesced quickly.

"There are two things you must do for me. Never say 'et'; say 'ate'

instead. Then you must say 'can'; not 'kin.' It will be hard to remember

at first, but every time you forget and make a mistake, remember to-day

and our jolly little luncheon, will you?"

"I will, and I _can_, Mr. Derry."

"You're an apt little pupil, Amarilly, and I am going to teach you two

words every time you come."

"Oh!" exclaimed Amarilly, brightening. "Will you want me ter come agin?"

"Indeed I shall. I am going away next week to the mountains for a couple

of months. When I come back, I am going to have you come every morning

at nine o'clock. You can prepare and serve my simple breakfast and clean

my rooms every day. Then they won't get so disreputable. I will pay you

what they do at the theatre, and it will not be such hard work. Will you

enjoy it as well?"




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