“But I can help Mrs. King,” cried Grace in a transport, flying around the room; “for of course she will have to hear them now. And, O King! I’ll make you pictures of the countries you study about, and the natives, and”—
“What’s natifs?” asked King, bringing the other eye out.
“Why, the people who live there, and”—
“And make bears, will you, Miss Grace?” cried King, dreadfully excited, and springing out in front of her. “Oh, say, please do—and have ’em catch some of the natifs, and chew ’em, and ’most eat ’em up. Will you, Miss Grace?”
“Yes, I’ll make bears,” said Grace, glad now of her power to sketch, “and ever so many other things, King; that is, if you are good,” she said hastily.
“Oh! I’ll be just as good as everything,” said King, clasping his hands. “Begin now, do, Miss Grace;” and he began to pull her along to the little room where the lessons were always said.
“No, King,” said Grace, “I can’t begin those lessons until I ask your sister Polly first. But I’ll draw you a picture of anything you choose.”
“Oh, goody!” exclaimed King, jumping up and down, and making so much noise that Elyot came running in, and after him Barby, trailing her doll by one leg.
“Stop, you mustn’t come in here!” shouted King, with a very red face, and trying to slam the door against them; “Miss Grace and I are going to do something.”
“What you going to do?” demanded Elyot, crowding in.