The little girl started at hearing this voice, ran back a little way, and then stood looking at Antonio with her hands behind her.
"Bring me that piece of paper," said Antonio, "that lies there on the grass, and I will make you a picture."
The girl stood still a moment as if much astonished, and then advancing timidly, she picked up the paper and brought it to Antonio's window, which was very near the ground, and held it up. Antonio reached his arm out between the bars of the grating and took the paper in.
THE BARRED WINDOW.
Although the window was not high, it seemed to be with some difficulty that Antonio could reach the paper as Dorinda held it up. But this was partly because Dorinda was afraid, and did not dare to come too near.
Antonio took a pencil out of his pocket, and putting the paper down upon the window sill, he began to draw. Dorinda stood still upon the ground outside, watching him. Antonio made a picture of a very grave and matronly-looking cat, lying upon a stone step and watching two kittens that were playing upon the grass before her. There was a bare-headed boy near, who seemed to be putting a mitten upon his hand. Underneath Antonio wrote the words—
"This is the picture of a cat,
Looking at some kittens;
Also a boy without a hat,
Putting on his mittens."
ANTONIO'S PICTURE.