Captain MacDonnell was doubtful as to how Olive would receive this suggestion. She seemed more formal than the rest of the family and he had thought her colder until her great kindness to him. Now he at least knew better than to misunderstand her shyness for coldness, as a good many people did. Olive replied perfectly naturally. "Of course I will. The truth is I have always thought of you as Bryan, as Jack and Frank always talked of you by this name." His promise would have really passed out of Captain MacDonnell's mind if Olive had not supplied him with a great variety of drawing materials within a few days, which she had taken a good deal of trouble to secure for him. But as a matter of fact she was really surprised to discover how much talent he had. But then Captain MacDonnell used to work for many hours each day, so that it was not long before his former facility came back to him. More than this, he discovered to his own surprise as well, that he could do a great deal better work than he had as a boy. Somehow the skill must have developed in him unheeded as he was growing older. She came out on the lawn one afternoon and discovered Captain MacDonnell at work a little distance off. He had evidently persuaded one of the cowboys to pose for him, as the man and his horse were standing in a picturesque attitude only a few feet away. Olive walked over to them and stood studying the drawing until Captain MacDonnell turned round to speak to her. "Why don't you say it is good?" he demanded boyishly. "You know I've half an idea it is." Olive nodded enthusiastically. "It's like Remington." Captain MacDonnell laughed. "Not quite. Still I am getting on. But it seems to me you are neglecting me lately. I say, suppose you pose for me. That would be ripping. You won't be sensitive if I don't make much of a go just at first." For a moment Olive hesitated. Then it struck her that she would enjoy sitting outdoors in the early autumn sunshine for a few hours each day with her friend. For Captain MacDonnell had become her friend by this time, she had no doubts on this point. Moreover, she had made up her mind she must soon go away. She had planned to take a course in nursing so as to fit herself to be more useful, and there was really no reason for further delay. She happened to mention this fact to Captain MacDonnell one day and it was remarkable after that what a time he took to finish his sketch. The truth was the artist made not one sketch but half a dozen. Jim and Ruth were delighted with his success, so that Captain MacDonnell finally persuaded Olive to allow him to attempt a painting. The work was undertaken inside the Lodge living room. Olive was dressed in an old gold silk, and the artist insisted that she needed a background of strange oriental colors. One end of the great room was therefore changed into a studio.