"And how did you amuse yourself all day in the house?" he inquired, rather curiously, when Jack had finished his story.
"Oh, I got on very well. I read a good deal, and drew pictures, and then Betty was always there, and mother came home in the afternoons. You never heard my mother play on the piano, did you?"
"No, I have never had the pleasure of meeting your mother."
"I think she plays better than any one else in the world," said Jack simply. "She used to play for me every evening, because she knew I loved it, though sometimes she was dreadfully tired. Oh, I had very good times, though of course it is much nicer here."
"Did you say you drew pictures?" Lord Carresford asked.
"Yes, I like to draw better than almost anything else, but I don't suppose I do it at all right. I've been making a picture this afternoon."
"May I look at it? I am very much interested in pictures."
Jack produced a folded paper from his pocket, which he handed to Lord Carresford.
"I was going to take it home to mother," he explained; "she likes to keep all my pictures."
Lord Carresford unfolded the paper, and glanced, at first rather carelessly, at the rough little sketch. Then suddenly his expression changed, and when he again turned to the little boy there was a new interest in his manner.