'And what will the ladies please to do?' he answered, his eyes going back to Ermine.
'We will look over your pictures, sir,' said my cousin, rising; 'they are in the upper room, I believe.'
A great flush rose in the painter's thin cheeks. 'Will you,' he said eagerly,—'will you? Come!'
'It's a broken-down old hole, ladies; Sol will never let me sweep it out. Reckon you'll be more comfortable here,' said Mrs. Bangs, with her arms in the flour.
'No, no, my lily of the valley. The ladies will come with me; they will not scorn the poor room.'
'A studio is always interesting,' said Ermine, sweeping up the rough stairs behind Solomon's candle. The dog followed us, and laid himself down on an old mat, as though well accustomed to the place. 'Eh-h, boy, you came bravely through the storm with the lady's note.' said his master, beginning to light candle after candle. 'See him laugh!'
'Can a dog laugh?'
'Certainly; look at him now. What is that but a grin of happy contentment? Don't the Bible say, "grin like a dog"?'
'You seem much attached to the Roarer.'
'Tuscarora, lady, Tuscarora. Yes, I love him well. He has been with me through all, he has watched the making of all my pictures; he always lies there when I paint.'