How nervous he had been! His hand had trembled so that he was scarcely able to hold the pen.

And even when it was all over, they had both felt very miserable, somehow.

His mother had been very nervous in the office also, and when they got home she cried a lot and called him her poor little fatherless boy, and said she hoped he would be good and try to learn.

And then he cried as well, and promised her that he would do his best.

He reflected with pride that he was keeping his promise about being a good boy and trying to learn: in fact, he knew a great deal about the trade already--he could paint back doors as well as anybody! and railings as well.