merriment. "Can't you really draw any better?"

"No, Jimmy," said Paul, joining in the laugh. "I can't draw any better
than an old cow. You've got all the talent in the family in that line."

"But you're smart in other ways, Paul," said Jimmy, who had a great
admiration of Paul, notwithstanding the discovery of his artistic
inferiority.

"I'm glad there's one that thinks so, Jimmy," said Paul. "I'll refer to
you when I want a recommendation."

Jimmy resumed his drawing, and was proud of the praises which Paul
freely bestowed upon him.

"I'll get you a harder drawing book when you've got through with these,"
said Paul; "that is, if I don't get reduced to poverty by having my
stock in trade stolen again."

After a while came dinner. This meal in Mrs. Hoffman's household usually
came at twelve o'clock. It was a plain, frugal meal always, but on
Sunday they usually managed to have something a little better, as they
had been accustomed to do when Mr. Hoffman was alive.

Paul was soon through.

He took his hat from the bureau, and prepared to go out.

"I'm going out to try my luck, mother," he said. "I'll see if I can't
get into something I like a little better than the prize-package