"
"But I saw the child entering this house with you."
"What if you did?" demanded Peg, defiantly.
"I was about," said the artist, perceiving that he was
misapprehended, and desiring to set matters right, "I was about to
make a proposition which might prove advantageous to both of us."
"Eh!" said Peg, catching at the hint. "Tell me what it is, and
perhaps we may come to terms."
"It is simply this," said Bowen, "I am, as I told you, an artist.
Just now I am employed to sketch a flower-girl, and in seeking for a
face such as I wished to sketch from, I was struck by that of your
child."
"Of Ida?"
"Yes, if that is her name. I will pay you five dollars for the
privilege of copying it."
Peg was fond of money, and the prospect of earning five dollars
through Ida's instrumentality, so easily, blinded her to the
possibility that this picture might prove a means of discovery to
her friends.
"Well," said she, more graciously, "if that's all you want, I don't
know as I have any objections. I suppose you can copy her face here
as well as anywhere."
"I should prefer to have her come to my studio."
"I sha'n't let her come," said Peg, decidedly.
"Then I will consent to your terms, and come here."
"Do you want to begin now?"
"I should like to do so."
"Come in, then. Here, Ida, I want you.
Pages:
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111