"That is right. And now let us have no more sadness to spoil my last day at home. Whatever the future may bring to me,--and I have full confidence in the future, you know,--all of you here at home will have the first place in my heart. I have a great many plans, and all of them are bright; I have a great many hopes, and all of them are certain; life seems very beautiful to me, and I thank my Creator for my health and strength. I ask nothing better than what lies before me, and I am willing to take the labor for the pleasures it will bring." Hugh paused, and an expression of glowing hope lit up his face and shone in his blue eyes. Bessie seized her brush, and, filled with a sudden inspiration, worked intently at her portrait for some time in silence. "There is the first dinner-bell, Queen Bess," said Hugh; "I have idled away the whole morning up here. Good-bye, little studio," he continued, rising as he spoke; "I hope one day to see you altered into a beautiful, luxurious abode of art, filled with striking pictures, the work of America's greatest artist, Elizabeth Darrell!" "If I should paint the best pictures in the world, you would not allow my name to be connected with them in public, Hugh. You are so prejudiced." "Prejudiced, is it? Well, perhaps it is. I own I do not think that types adorn a woman's name. A woman ought not to appear 'in the papers' but twice; when she marries, and when she dies." "So if she don't marry, she never has a chance of being anybody until she is dead; I don't call that fair, Hugh." "Surely, Elizabeth Darrell, you are not shrieking for suffrage!" "Never!" said Bessie, "I'm only shrieking for my name." "What's in a name!" replied Hugh, laughing. "Paint away, little artist; I will buy all your pictures, and pay you so well for them that you won't care for fame. By the way, am I not to ------ [Transcriber's Note: There is some dialogue missing here, although there are no pages missing in the images.] "No," replied Bessie, moving the easel; "but I've got your eyes at last!" "I'm glad of that; good-bye, Brownie," and Hugh ran off down the stairs to prepare for dinner. "And my bracket!" said Sibyl, as he came into the dining-room. "And my poems!" added Aunt Faith, with a smile. "All in good time, ladies," replied Hugh. "The first hour after dinner is to be devoted to packing; the second, to Sibyl and her bracket; the third, to Aunt Faith and her book; the fourth I give to the family as a collective whole, and all the rest of the time I reserve for tea, general farewells, and embarkation." "Highly systematic! You are practicing business habits already, I see," said Sibyl. "The B. B.'s are all coming to see you off, Hugh," said Tom. "What an honor! I am overwhelmed with the attention of the band! What time may I expect them?" "A little after six. They are going to form on both sides of the front walk, and hurrah like troopers."