At the date of this story, one of the many points in his son's conduct of which Mr.Thorpe disapproved on the highest moral grounds, was the firm determination the lad showed to keep up his intimacy with Mr.Blyth.
We may now get back to the ring at the bell.
Zack's approach to the painting-room was heralded by a scuffling of feet, a loud noise of talking, and a great deal of suspicious giggling on the part of the housemaid, who had let him in.

Suddenly these sounds ceased--the door was dashed open--and Mr.Thorpe, junior, burst into the room.
"Dear old Blyth! how are you ?" cried Zack.

"Have you had any leap-frog since I was here last?
Jump up, and let's celebrate my return to the painting-room with a bit of manly exercise in our old way.

Come on! I'll give the first back.

No shirking! Put down your palette; and one, two, three--and over!" Pronouncing these words, Zack ran to the end of the room opposite to Valentine; and signalized his entry into the studio by the extraordinary process of giving its owner, what is termed in the technical language of leap-frog, "a capital back." Mr.Blyth put down his palette, brushes, and mahl-stick--tucked up his cuffs and smiled--took a little trial skip into the air--and, running down the room with the slightly tremulous step of a gentleman of fifty, cleared Zack in gallant style; fell over on the other side, all in a lump on his hands and feet; gave the return "back" conscientiously, at the other end of the studio; and was leapt over in an instant, with a shout of triumph, by Zack.