`Yonder he dwells,' answered the citizen, and
pointed to a humble shop at the corner of the
market-place. `Hast thou brought the child to be
a model?'

Pietro held his head up proudly, and answered
quickly for himself.

`I am no longer a child,' he said; `and I have
come to work and not to sit idle.'

The man laughed and went his way, while father
and son hurried on towards the little shop and
entered the door.

The old painter was busy, and they had to wait
a while until he could leave his work and come to
see what they might want.

`This is the boy of whom I spoke,' said the
father as he pushed Pietro forward by his shoulder.
`He is not well grown, but he is strong, and has
learnt to endure hardness. I promise thee that he
will serve thee well if thou wilt take him as thy
servant.'

The painter smiled down at the little eager face
which was waiting so anxiously for his answer.

`What canst thou do?' he asked the boy.