'Have we not told you of Miss Pearson's niece?'
'You should take her likeness, Cherry, as a relief from the
classically severe.'
Cherry opened her portfolio, and showed two or three water-coloured
drawings of the graceful little head and piquant features. Edgar
criticised, and promised a lesson; and the sitter, nothing loth,
though rather coy, was caught. She blushed and smiled, and took
exception at little personalities, and laughed her forgiveness, going
through a play of countenance very perplexing to the pupil, but much
relished by the master, as he called up the pout and smile by turns,
and played with her little airs.
He took Alda back on Monday, but promised to come home for Christmas,
and kept his word. Perhaps the Renville wirthschaft afforded less
contrast with home than did the Underwood menage; and, in spite of
the Philistine furniture, the rooms in the High Street agreed better
with his tastes than the old house in St. Oswald's Buildings. He was
above objecting to the shop; and whereas Clement carefully avoided
the public precincts, he was often there, hunting up books, reading
newspapers, gossiping with Mr. Froggatt or with Redstone, and always
ensuring himself a welcome by the free bright sweetness of his manner
and his amusing talk.
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