"Look here," said Philip, "I have come to work; if you tease me in this way, I shall never do anything."
He tried his brushes and began mixing his colours.
Dora took the little bunch of pansies which she had arranged, and placed them near the portrait.
"The colours harmonise exquisitely with the yellow of the dress. How sweet they are, these pansies! Look, do look, at this dear little yellow one—what a saucy face! Put it in the picture. By-the-bye, there is a letter for you."
She went to the table, where Hobbs had laid the letter, took it up and read the envelope aloud, "Philip Grantham, Esq., A.R.A. Associate of the Royal Academy! There are lots of people who live in hopes of adding letters to their name, but you, my Philip, will soon drop one: instead of A.R.A., just Royal Academician, R.A."
"Who knows?" said Philip. "Perhaps—thanks to your encouragement and loving praise. There! open the letter for me, will you?"
"It is Sir Benjamin Pond, who announces that he is coming to see you to-day: he wants to choose one or two pictures."
"I hope he will come late, then," said Philip. "I want to finish your portrait before dinner. It ought to be easy enough—two or three hours of steady work, and the thing is done."
Dora smiled a little smile of incredulity.
"Seven or eight," said she, "at least."