"Yes, I did so want to come up yesterday; but Kate would not let me. May I come to-morrow?" "To-morrow? no." "After to-morrow then?" I said persistingly. "Be quiet, child, and let me work." I obeyed and looked at him, as he continued the task on which he had for the last week been engaged--copying a little Dutch painting for a picture-dealer. After awhile I said-- "When you are a great artist you won't copy pictures, will you, Cornelius?" "Did I not tell you to let me work?" "I shall speak no more." But to make up for speaking, I got up on the table and attempted to take down some of the portfolios from the shelf. He heard me, turned round, and uttered an imperative-- "Come down!" As I obeyed with regret, I exclaimed-- "Oh! if you only would, Cornelius!" "Would what?" "Let me have the portfolios, look at the drawings, and arrange them,--I am sure they are in a great mess. By beginning to-day I might have them all sorted before the end of the week. May I have one to begin with?" "No; must I for a third time tell you to let me work?" I promised to interrupt him no more, and taking a chair, I sat for awhile both quiet and silent: but the spirit of speech must have possessed me, for I forgot my promise and spoke again. "Cornelius," I said suddenly, "do you think your Happy Time will be accepted?" for Cornelius had sent in his picture to the Academy; but though Kate and I felt some anxiety on the subject, he professed total indifference. "I neither know nor care," he replied negligently; "I set no value on it, and shall not think the better of it for its being accepted." "It makes my heart beat to think of it. I am sure it is a beautiful picture." "How can you tell?" "Surely, Cornelius," I replied, "I know?" "I know," he interrupted, "that I never knew you in such a chattering humour. What possesses you, child, on this morning above all others?" He had sat down to rest, and, leaning back in his chair, he looked round at me; I stood behind him; passing my arm around his neck, I replied, "It is that I am glad to be again up here." "Have you never been here before?" "Not much of late,--I mean when you are alone; not this whole week; I thought you were vexed with me, and when you said 'Come up' this morning, just in the old way, I felt so glad that, if Kate had not been looking, I should have jumped up and kissed you." But Kate was not there now to restrain me--for the most innocent affection is shy and shuns the eye of a gazer--so I kissed her brother as I loved him--with my whole heart. "That will never do," exclaimed Cornelius, looking very uncomfortable; "listen to me, child, I have something to say to you." "I am listening, Cornelius," I replied, without changing my attitude. "I cannot speak in that sideways fashion." I walked round and sat down on his knee. "I shall be quite opposite you so," I said.