"Do you really think so, Paul?" asked the little boy, much pleased.

"I really do. How long did it take you?"

"Only a short time--not more than half an hour, I should think," said
Mrs. Hoffman. "I think Jimmy succeeded very well."

"You'll make a great artist some time, Jimmy," said Paul.

"I wish I could," said the little boy. "I should like to earn some
money, so that you and mother need not work so hard."

"Hard work agrees with me. I'm tough," said Paul. "But when we get to
be men, Jimmy, we'll make so much money that mother needn't work at all.
She shall sit in the parlor all day, dressed in silk, with nothing to
do."

"I don't think I would enjoy that," said Mrs. Hoffman, smiling.

"Will you be in the candy business, then, Paul?" said Jimmy.

"No, Jimmy. It would never do for the brother of a great artist to be
selling candy round the streets. I hope I shall have something better to
do than that."

"Sit down to dinner, Paul," said his mother. "It's all ready."

The dinner was not a luxurious one. There was a small plate of cold
meat, some potatoes, and bread and butter; but Mrs. Hoffman felt glad to
be able to provide even that, and Paul, who had the hearty appetite of