CHAPTER XVI.
PROF. HAZLITT AT HOME.
Chester did not forget his engagement to call upon Prof. Hazlitt onWednesday evening.
He was shown at once into the professor's study. It was a large room,the sides lined with bookcases crowded with volumes. There seemed to bemore books than Chester had ever seen before.
In the center of the room was a study table, covered with books, openas if in use. On one side was a desk, at which Prof. Hazlitt himselfwas seated.
"Good-evening, my young friend," he said, cordially, as Chester enteredthe room. "You did not forget your appointment."
"No, sir. I was not likely to forget such an engagement."
"Have you grown to feel at home in the city?"
"Not entirely, sir, but I am getting a little used to it."
"I think you mentioned that you were going into a real estate office?"
"Yes, sir. I have commenced my duties there."
"I hope you find them agreeable."
"I might, sir, but that the bookkeeper seems to have taken a dislike tome."
"I suspect that you would like better to devote yourself to art work."
"I think I should, sir, but Mr. Conrad thinks it better that I shouldonly devote my leisure to drawing."
"No doubt his advice is wise, for the present, at least. Now, supposewe come to business. I believe I told you I am writing a book onethnology."
"Yes, sir."
"I find a good deal of help in rare volumes which I consult at theAstor Library. These I cannot borrow, but I have the use of anything Ifind suited to my needs in the library of Columbia College. Then Iimport a good many books. I shall spare no pains to make my own workvaluable and comprehensive. Of course, I shall feel at liberty to copyand use any illustrations I find in foreign publications. It is herethat you can help me."
"Yes, sir."
"Here, for instance," and the professor opened a French book, "are somesketches illustrating the dress and appearance of the natives ofMadagascar. Do you think you can copy them?"
"I have no doubt of it, sir," he answered.
"Sit down in that chair and try. You will find pencils and drawingpaper before you. I will mention one or two particulars in which I wantyou to deviate from the original."
Chester sat down and was soon deep in his task. He felt that it wasimportant for him to do his best. He could understand that, though theprofessor was a kind-hearted man, he would be a strict critic.
He therefore worked slowly and carefully, and it was nearly an hourbefore he raised his head and said:
"I have finished."
"Show the sketch to me," said the professor.
Chester handed it to him.
He examined it with critical attention. Gradually his face lighted upwith pleasure.
"Admirably done!" he exclaimed. "You have carried out my wishes."
"Then you are satisfied, sir?"
"Entirely."
"I am very glad," said Chester, with an air of relief.
He felt now he could do all that was required of him, and, as thecontract would pay him two hundred dollars, this success to-night wasan important one.
"I won't ask you to do any more this evening, but I will give you somework to do at home. I believe I agreed to pay you two dollars for eachsketch?"
"Yes, sir."
"Probably you are not over well provided with money, and I will pay youas you go on. Or, rather, I will give you ten dollars as an advance forfuture work."
"Thank you, sir. You are very kind."
"Only considerate. I have seen the time when a ten-dollar-bill wouldhave been welcome to me. Now, thanks to a wealthy relative, who left mea fortune, I am amply provided for."
At this moment the study door opened and a bright-looking boy of aboutfifteen entered.
"May I come in, uncle?" he asked, with a smile.
"Yes. Chester, this is my nephew, Arthur Burks. Arthur, this is ChesterRand, a young artist, who is assisting me."
Arthur came forward and gave Chester his hand cordially.
"You ought to wear spectacles," he said, "like uncle Edgar. You don'tlook dignified enough to be his assistant."
"That may come in time," said Chester, with a smile.
"Arthur, I am done with Chester for this evening," said the professor."You may carry him off and entertain him. You may bring me the othertwo sketches whenever you are ready."
"Come up to my den," said Arthur. "I have the front room on the thirdfloor."
As they went upstairs, a prolonged, melancholy shriek rang through thehouse.
Chester stopped short in dismay, and an expression of pain succeededthe gay look on Arthur's face.