"Have you a little daughter?" asked Mrs. Hoffman.
"Yes, madam. She must be nearly the age of my young pupil here."
"Bring her with you at any time," said motherly Mrs. Hoffman. "I shall be glad to have her come."
"If she would not be in the way."
"Not at all. We have plenty of room, and Jimmy has no playmate. We shall be very glad to see her."
"Mary will enjoy coming," said her father. "I appreciate your kindness in inviting her."
"By the way, Mr. Henderson," suggested Paul, "why don't you move into the upper part of the city? It will be more convenient for you, especially if you get other pupils."
"It is a good plan," said the artist. "I could not do so before, because I had no money. Now, thanks to your kindness, I can do so."
It was arranged that Jimmy should take two lessons a week, for which Paul agreed to pay a dollar each. The sum was small, but to Mr. Henderson it was an important help. I will anticipate the future so far as to say that, after a while, through the persistent efforts of Paul, aided by Mr. Preston, he obtained three other pupils, from whom he was able to obtain a higher price, and occasionally he effected the sale of a picture, so that he was able to occupy more comfortable rooms, and provide himself with better clothing. The days of his adversity were over, and he now enjoyed a moderate degree of prosperity. Little Mary regained her lost flesh and color, and once more looked as she did when she sat for the figure of the girl in her father's picture, which Paul had sold to Mr. Preston. She came often with her father, when he was to give a lesson to Jimmy, and sometimes Mrs. Hoffman called to invite her to accompany Jimmy and herself to Central Park.
As to Jimmy, he surprised his teacher by the rapid progress which he made. He would have devoted all his time to drawing if his mother had permitted, but she was not willing that he should neglect his school studies—for Jimmy now attended school. His health, too, had improved, and he no longer looked weak and delicate.