The sittings
continued; but before the third Sunday came Miss Swan said she did
not see how she could do anything more to her sketch, and Miss
Carver had already completed her study. They criticised each other's
work with freedom and good humour, and agreed that the next thing
was to paint it out and rub it out.
"No," said Berry; "what you want is a fresh eye on it. I've worried
over it as much as you have,--suffered more, I believe,--and Barker
can't tell whether he looks like a Roman Youth or not. Why don't you
have up old Evans?"
Miss Swan took no apparent notice of this suggestion; and Miss
Carver, who left Berry's snubbing entirely to her, said nothing.
After a minute's study of the pictures, Miss Swan suggested, "If Mr.
Barker had any friends he would like to show them to?"
"Oh no, thank you," returned Lemuel hastily, "there isn't anybody,"
and again he found himself turning very red.
"Well, I don't know how we can thank you enough for your patience,
Mr. Barker," said the girl.
"Oh, don't mention it. I've--I've enjoyed it," said Lemuel.
"Game--every time," said Berry; and their evening broke up with a
laugh.
The next morning Lemuel stopped Miss Swan at the door of the
breakfast room, and said, "I've been thinking over what you said
last night, and I _should_ like to bring some one--a lady
friend of mine--to see the pictures.
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