Anxious thoughts of her father rendered `` biceps , deltoids , and things '' uninteresting , and hoping to compose her mind , she took up The Old Painters and went on with the story of Claude Lorraine . She had just reached the tender scene where , -- `` Calista gazed with enthusiasm , while she looked like a being of heaven rather than earth . ` My friend , ' she cried , ' I read in thy picture thy immortality ! ' As she spoke , her head sunk upon his bosom , and it was several moments before Claude perceived that he supported a lifeless form . '' `` How sweet ! '' said Psyche , with a romantic sigh . `` Faith , and swate it is , thin ! '' echoed Katy , whose red head had just appeared round the half opened door . `` It 's gingy-bread I 'm making the day , miss , and will I be puttin ' purlash or sallyrathis into it , if ye plase ? '' `` Purlash , by all means , '' returned the girl , keeping her countenance , fearing to enrage Katy by a laugh ; for the angry passions of the red-haired one rose more quickly than her bread . As she departed with alacrity to add a spoonful of starch and a pinch of whiting to her cake , Psyche , feeling better for her story and her smile , put on her bib and paper cap and fell to work on the deformed arm . An hour of bliss , then came a ring at the door-bell , followed by Biddy to announce callers , and add that as `` the mistress was in her bed , miss must go and take care of 'em . '' Whereat `` miss '' cast down her tools in despair , threw her cap one way , her bib another , and went in to her guests with anything but a rapturous welcome . Dinner being accomplished after much rushing up and down stairs with trays and messages for Mrs. Dean , Psyche fled again to her studio , ordering no one to approach under pain of a scolding . All went well till , going in search of something , she found her little sister sitting on the floor with her cheek against the studio door . `` I did n't mean to be naughty , Sy , but mother is asleep , and the boys all gone , so I just came to be near you ; it 's so lonely everywhere , '' she said , apologetically , as she lifted up the heavy head that always ached . `` The boys are very thoughtless . Come in and stay with me ; you are such a mouse you wo n't disturb me . Would n't you like to play be a model and let me draw your arm , and tell you all about the nice little bones and muscles ? '' asked Psyche , who had the fever very strong upon her just then .
May did n't look as if the proposed amusement overwhelmed her with delight , but meekly consented to be perched upon a high stool with one arm propped up by a dropsical plaster cherub , while XXXXX drew busily , feeling that duty and pleasure were being delightfully combined .
Biddy Calista Claude Dean Katy Psyche Whereat hour purlash puttin