In truth he relished the supper, which was the best he remembered to have tasted for many a long day.
"Is Italy like America ?" asked Jimmy, whose curiosity was excited to learn something of Phil's birthplace.
"It is much nicer," said Phil, with a natural love of country.

"There are olive trees and orange trees, and grapes--very many." "Are there really orange trees?
Have you seen them grow ?" "I have picked them from the trees many times." "I should like that, but I don't care for olives." "They are good, too." "I should like the grapes." "There are other things in Italy which you would like better, Jimmy," said Paul.
"What do you mean, Paul ?" "The galleries of fine paintings." "Yes, I should like to see them.

Have you seen them ?" Phil shook his head.

The picture galleries are in the cities, and not in the country district where he was born.
"Sometime, when I am rich, we will all go to Italy, Jimmy; then, if Phil is at home, we will go and see him." "I should like that, Paul." Though Jimmy was not yet eight years old, he had already exhibited a remarkable taste for drawing, and without having received any instruction, could copy any ordinary picture with great exactness.

It was the little boy's ambition to become an artist, and in this ambition he was encouraged by Paul, who intended, as soon as he could afford it, to engage an instructor for Jimmy..