CHAPTER XXVI.
Home Again.
To Charlie the summer had been an exceedingly short one--time had flown so pleasantly away.

Everything that could be done to make the place agreeable Mrs.Bird had effected.

Amongst the number of her acquaintances who had conceived a regard for her young _protege_ was a promising artist to whom she had been a friend and patroness.

Charlie paid him frequent visits, and would sit hour after hour in his studio, watching the progress of his work.
Having nothing else at the time to amuse him, he one day asked the artist's permission to try his hand at a sketch.

Being supplied with the necessary materials, he commenced a copy of a small drawing, and was working assiduously, when the artist came and looked over his shoulder.
"Did you ever draw before ?" he asked, with a start of surprise.
"Never," replied Charlie, "except on my slate at school.