"Who is your master, Sebastian?"
"You," replied the boy, in a voice scarcely audible.
"I mean your drawing-master," said Murillo.
"You, señor," again replied the trembling slave.
"It can not be; I never gave you lessons," said the astonished painter.
"But you gave them to others, and I listened to them," rejoined the boy, emboldened by the kindness of his master.
"And you have done better than listen; you have profited by them," exclaimed Murillo, unable longer to conceal his admiration. "Gentlemen, does this boy merit punishment or reward?"
At the word punishment Sebastian's heart beat quick; the word reward gave him a little courage; but fearing that his ears deceived him, he looked with timid and imploring eyes toward his master.
"A reward, señor," cried the pupils, in a breath.