I've got lots of time, yet--I can walk it in half-an-hour." "You have got about ten minutes more to stay," said Valentine in his firmest manner.

"Occupy them if you like, in going up stairs to Mrs.
Blyth, and take Madonna with you.

I'll follow as soon as I've put away my brushes." Saying those words, Mr.Blyth walked to the place where Madonna was still at work.

She was so deeply engaged over her drawing that she had never once looked up from it, for the last quarter-of-an-hour, or more; and when Valentine patted her shoulder approvingly, and made her a sign to leave off, she answered by a gesture of entreaty, which eloquently enough implored him to let her proceed a little longer with her employment.

She had never at other times claimed an indulgence of this kind, when she was drawing from the Antique--but then, she had never, at other times, been occupied in making a copy which was secretly intended as a present for Zack.
Valentine, however, easily induced her to relinquish her port-crayon.