Almost instantly Ida clapped her hands, exclaiming with delight:
"The tree is perfect, and oh, Mr. Eltinge, I shall always have
you now, with your dear kind face turned towards me as I have seen
it to-day!" Suddenly her manner changed, and in a tone full of
disappointment she added, "Oh, Mr. Van Berg, how could you spoil
my picture? You have put me in it."
"Certainly," he replied demurely, "you were a part of the picture."
"Not a necessary part. I did not ask you to do that," she answered,
in a way that proved her feelings were hurt.
"I am willing to do more than you ask, and if you insist on it I
will efface your image, although I should much regret to do so."
"I protest against that," cried Mr. Eltinge. "So far from spoiling
the picture, your being there makes it invaluable to me. I'm going
to tax Mr. Van Berg's generosity, and ask for this in the hope that
he will make another drawing of the old man and the tree only, for
you."
"Would you like to have it so very much?" said Ida, much pleased
with this arrangement.
"Yes, my dear, very much indeed, and I'll place it near my favorite
chimney corner, where I can see you all winter. Mr. Van Berg,
I congratulate you; I'm not much of a judge of art, but this is
my little friend here, true to life.
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