"I don't want to go away," said Ernest. "I like to see him paint."
"Just move some of that paraphernalia from the end of the bench and sit down, can't you, Miss Manning?" suggested Phil. "I piled it there in self-defence, but it's for show. Keep away from my arm, old man, and you may watch me all you like."
"Come here, Ernest, you can see just as well," and Violet, seating herself, drew the child against her knee.
The scent of moist lilacs was in the air.
"There's a robin," cried Ernest—"oh, two! Look."
"Quiet, don't frighten them," said Violet, as the bright-eyed birds ran beneath the bushes.
"Put them in, won't you, Mr.——" began the child eagerly.
"That is Mr. Sidney, Ernest," said Violet. "It is time you were introduced and this is Ernest Tremaine, Mr. Sidney."
"I'll make you a sketch of the robin in a minute."