artist."

"Why are you so anxious on the subject?" Lord Carresford asked, with a
kindly glance at the flushed, eager little face.

"I think it's partly because my father was one, but mostly because I
want to make money," said Jack.

"You want to make money, eh? and what will you do with the money when it
is made?"

"Why, take care of mother and Betty, of course," said Jack, surprised at
the question. "Isn't that what men always do with the money they
make?--take care of their families, I mean."

"Well, I am afraid not always," said Lord Carresford, laughing; "don't
you think that you may need a share for yourself?"

"Oh, not much," said Jack confidently. "You see, I shall always live
with mother and Betty, and if they have things, why, of course I shall
have them too. I don't want mother to give music lessons when I grow up,
and Betty mustn't be a housekeeper, though she says she would like to be
one."

"Have you a particular objection to housekeepers, then?"

"Oh, no, it isn't that, only I don't think--Lord Carresford, would you
mind telling me something?"

"Not at all; what is it?"

"It's about ladies," said Jack, flushing; "English ladies I mean. They
never work, do they?"

"Many of them do when it is necessary. There is nothing to be ashamed of
in honest work, you know."

"Oh, I know there isn't. Mother works, and Lulu's aunt writes books. But
I mean the kind of ladies who have lords for their relations--do they
ever work?"

"Well, they are not very often obliged to, but I have known of cases
where even ladies of title have supported themselves. I see your point,
though; you don't want your sister to be obliged to work."

"No," said Jack; "not if I can take care of her. I want her to live in a
beautiful place, with a park, like mother--I mean like some people--and
never have to do anything she doesn't want to."

"Well," said Lord Carresford, smiling, "I am not certain about the park,
but you ought to be able to make a comfortable home for your mother and
sister. You have talent, my boy, and it should be cultivated. You must
have lessons."

Jack's bright face clouded.

"Don't lessons cost a good deal, sir?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes, but in a case like yours I don't think the expense of the thing
should be taken into consideration. A boy who can draw as well as you
can without ever taking a lesson, ought to have every advantage for
improving his talent. Your mother should place you under one o