Page:An orchard princess (IA orchardprincess00barbiala).pdf/64

 charcoal strokes still showed against the creamy canvas.

"Do you sell your pictures?" he asked.

"Oh, yes; that is, when I can."

"And this one? It will be for sale?"

"I suppose so." She seemed a bit surprised.

"What I meant was," he hurried to explain, "that I'd like to buy it if—if you decide to sell it."

"Thank you," she replied. "But perhaps you had better wait until you see it finished before you commit yourself. It may not turn out so well, after all."

"Has the discouragement returned?" he asked. "Surely, on a morning like this discouragement isn't possible!"

"In my case," she said, gravely,