human
Are you busy, Mr. Preston?
gpt
Not particularly. I can spare you a few minutes.
human
I have come to sell you some pictures, Mr. Preston.
gpt
You haven't turned artist?
human
No; but I am acting as agent for a poor artist, who is in great need of money.
gpt
A poor artist in both senses of the word, eh, Paul?
human
No, I think not. I am not a judge of pictures, but these seem to me very good.
gpt
Let me see them.
human
They are good pictures, he said, after a pause.
gpt
Who is the artist?
human
An Englishman named Henderson. I will tell you all I know of his story. He has been very unfortunate, and is now in pressing need of assistance.
gpt
We must help him.
human
I am going to take him as teacher for my little brother Jimmy.
gpt
I will purchase the picture of the children for fifty dollars.
human
It will be a fortune to the poor man,
gpt
When shall you see him?
human
To-night.
gpt
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.
human
Thank you, Mr. Preston. You will do him a great kindness.
gpt
It will set him on his feet,
human
Jimmy, said Paul, on reaching home,
gpt
A gentleman--to see me?
human
Yes. Mr. Henderson.
gpt
But I don't know him.
human
You will know him very soon. He is an artist, and is going to give you lessons.
gpt
How good you are, Paul! said Jimmy, joyfully;
human
he added, considerately,
gpt
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.
human
Does he paint pictures? I should like to see some of them.
gpt
I have one with me.
human
Oh, let me see it!
gpt
It is beautiful, Paul. I wonder if I can ever paint such a nice picture.
human
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.
gpt
How much did you get for it?
human
Fifty dollars.
gpt
Isn't that a large price?
human
Not for a good picture. I dare say Jimmy will by and by be charging as much as that for a picture.
gpt
I hope so, Paul. I would like to earn some money.
human
You are too young to earn money now, Jimmy. That will come in good time.
gpt
I am glad to see you, Mr. Henderson, said Paul, cordially.
human
This is my mother, Mrs. Hoffman, and here is the young scholar I told you of.
gpt
He has seen your picture and likes it. By the way, I have sold one of your pictures--the one introducing the children.
human
Thank you for your kindness, said the artist, his face brightening.
gpt
You have done what I could not do, and it will give me very welcome aid.
human
I hope the price will be satisfactory,
gpt
I did not expect much, said Mr. Henderson, who inferred that the price obtained was small.
human
I am unknown, and I have no right to expect much for my work.
gpt
I sold it to a friend of mine for fifty dollars,
human
Fifty dollars!
gpt
Yes, said Paul, enjoying his surprise.
human
Is it satisfactory?
gpt
Satisfactory! It is ten times as much as I expected. How can I ever thank you?
human
The purchaser is rich, and he has promised to speak a word to Goupil in your favor.
gpt
Heaven sent you to my help, said the artist.
human
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?
gpt
No, said Paul, decidedly.
human
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.
gpt
Your brother has great talent, said he.
human
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?
gpt
As soon as possible. To-morrow, if you can come.
human
And at what time?
gpt
At any time. I suppose the day would be better.
human
Yes, it would be better, on account of the light. Besides, I like to be with my little daughter in the evening.
gpt
Have you a little daughter?
human
Yes, madam. She must be nearly the age of my young pupil here.
gpt
Bring her with you at any time, said motherly Mrs. Hoffman.
human
I shall be glad to have her come.
gpt
If she would not be in the way.
human
Not at all. We have plenty of room, and Jimmy has no playmate. We shall be very glad to see her.
gpt
Mary will enjoy coming, said her father.
human
I appreciate your kindness in inviting her.
gpt
By the way, Mr. Henderson, suggested Paul,
human
It is a good plan, said the artist.
gpt
I could not do so before, because I had no money. Now, thanks to your kindness, I can do so.