Page:The Van Roon (IA thevanroon00snaiiala).pdf/48

 "What did he say?"

"He just scratched his cheek and changed his spectacles."

"Did you tell him what you've just told me?"

The young man nodded.

"Did Uncle Si believe you?"

"He said he'd wait till he saw it."

"Well, he can't deny the trees, anyway."

"No, he can't deny the trees. But, of course the real picture is only just beginning to come out, as you might say. All the same, he's made me an offer for it, even as it stands."

With a swift, sudden intuition, June cried: "I hope you haven't taken it!"

"As a matter of fact, I haven't," said William, casually. "I feel I'd like to keep the picture until I find out what it really is."

"Well, mind you do. And, if the question isn't a rude one, what did Uncle Si offer?"

"Seven and sixpence. But that's for the frame mainly."

June grew magisterial. "You mustn't think of parting with it."

With an innocence hard to credit in one so clever, William asked why.

"Why!" June almost snorted. "Because if Uncle Si offers you seven and sixpence for a thing which he knows you bought for five shillings, you can be sure that he considers it may be valuable."

"The master has always been very good to me," said the young man with extreme simplicity.

At these words June felt a stab of pain, so great was the contrast between the two men. One saw the wares