“Hem!” coughed the doctor. “No, my boy, your boots will be cleaned for you, and you will not have to dirty your hands now.”
The boy stared wonderingly, as the doctor enunciated a matter which was beyond his grasp. But all the time his eyes were as busy as those of a monkey, and wandering all over the study, and taking in everything he saw.
“May I leave Dexter with you now!” said Helen, “as I have a few little matters to see to.”
“Yes, yes; of course, my dear. We are beginning capitally. Dexter, my boy; you can sit down on that chair, and amuse yourself with a book, while I go on writing.”
The boy looked at the chair, then at the doctor, and then at Helen.
“I say, mayn’t I go with you?” he said.
“Not now, Dexter, I am going to be very busy. By and by I will take you for a walk.”
Helen nodded, and left the room.
“You’ll find some books on that shelf,” said the doctor kindly; and he turned once more to his writing, while Dexter went to the bookcase, and, after taking down one or two works, found a large quarto containing pictures.
He returned to the chair the doctor had pointed out, opened the book upon his knees, turned over a few leaves, and then raised his eyes to have a good long wondering stare at the doctor, as he sat frowning there very severely, and in the midst of a great deal of deep thought put down a sentence now and again.