“Here is a piece of drawing paper. Now, let me see what you can do.”
Chester leaned his head on his hand and began to think. He was in search of an idea. The young artist watched him with interest. At last his face brightened up. He seized the pencil, and began to draw rapidly. In twenty minutes he handed the paper to Mr. Conrad.
The latter looked at it in amazement.
“Why, you are an artist,” he said. “I had no idea you were capable of such work.”
“I am glad you like it,” said Chester, much pleased.
“How long have you been drawing?”
“Ever since I can remember. I used to make pictures in school on my slate. Some of them got me into trouble with the teacher.”
“I can imagine it, if you caricatured him. Did you ever take lessons?”
“No; there was no one in Wyncombe to teach me. But I got hold of a drawing book once, and that helped me.”
“Do you know what I am going to do with this sketch of yours?”