Miss Patsey was beginning to resign herself to hearing Charlie called an artist, although the word had still an unpleasant sound to her ear.
"Charles is very good," she replied, "about keeping his things in their place; he does not make much litter."
After some inquiries about Mrs. Hubbard—who, it seems, was taking her afternoon nap—Mr. Wyllys asked to see Charlie's work.
"You must let us look at it, Charles," said Miss Agnes; "we have been waiting, you know, quite impatiently for the last week."
"If we must go up to your STUDIO for it, we'll rest awhile first," said Mr. Wyllys taking a seat.
"You mortify me, sir," said Charlie, "by using such great words about my little doings, even in pleasantry. I am half afraid to show my work; but I will bring it down."
"I hope we shall find some improvement—that is all we can expect at present, my boy. We don't look for a Claude yet."
{"Claude" = Claude Lorrain (1600-1662), French painter famous for his landscapes, who was an important influence on the American Hudson River School}
Charlie blushed, in the excess of his modesty.
"Pray, bring all your sketches, too," said Elinor. "Mary wrote me you were drawing all winter; you must have a great deal that we have not seen."