metal. Sophia said she was oldest, and knew best;
Amelia said she was youngest, and knew better. Sophia said Amelia was an
impudent jackanapes; Amelia said Sophia was a plebeian wretch. From that
moment, they parted. Sophia sits in her own lodging, and drinks tea out
of earthenware; Amelia sits in _her_ own lodging, and drinks tea out of
metal. They swear never to make it up, and abuse each other furiously
to everybody who will listen to them. Very shocking, and very curious at
the same time--isn't it, Zack?"

"Oh, capital! A perfect picture of human nature to us men of the world,"
exclaimed the young gentleman, smoking with the air of a profound
philosopher. "But tell me, Blyth, which is the prettiest, Amelia or
Sophia? Metal or Earthenware? My mind's made up, beforehand, to study
from the best-looking of the two, if you have no objection."

"I have the strongest possible objection, Zack, to talking nonsense
where a serious question is concerned. Are you, or are you not, in
earnest in your dislike of commerce and your resolution to be an
artist?"

"I mean to be a painter, or I mean to leave home," answered Zack,
resolutely. "If you don't help me, I'll be off as sure as fate! I have
half a mind to cut the office from this moment. Lend me a shilling,
Blyth; and I'll toss up for it. Heads--liberty and the fine arts!
Tails--the tea-merchant!"

"If you don't go back to the City to-day," said Valentine, "and stick to
your engagements, I wash my hands of you--but if you wait patiently, and
promise to show all the attention you can to your father's wishes, I'll
teach you myself to draw from the Antique. If somebody can be found who
has influence enough with your father to get him to enter you at the
Royal Academy, you must be prepared beforehand with a drawing that's fit
to show. Now, if you promise to be a good boy, you shall come here, and
learn the A B C of Art, every evening if you like. We'll have a regular
little academy," continued Valentine, putting down his palette and
brushes, and rubbing his hands in high glee; "and if it isn't too much
for Lavvie, the evening studies shall take place in her room; and she
shall draw, poor dear soul, as well as the rest of us. There's an idea
for you, Zack! Mr. Blyth's Drawing Academy, open every evening--with
light refreshment for industrious students. What do you say to it?"

"Say? by George, sir, I'll come every night, and get through acres of
chalk and miles of drawing pape