Hurrah for Rome , next month ! '' The young folks forgot their supper for a moment , to congratulate him on his happy prospect , and hear all about it , while the leaves rustled as if echoing the kind words , and the squirrels sat up aloft , wondering what all the pleasant clamor was about . `` Yes , I 'm really going in November . German asked me to go with him to-day , and if there is any little hitch in my getting off , he 'll lend a hand , and I -- I 'll black his boots , wet his clay , and run his errands the rest of my life to pay for this ! '' cried Ralph , in a burst of gratitude ; for , independent as he was , the kindness of this successful friend to a deserving comrade touched and won his heart . `` I call that a handsome thing to do ! '' said Frank , warmly , for noble actions always pleased him . `` I heard my mother say that making good or useful men was the best sort of sculpture , so I think David German may be proud of this piece of work , whether the big statue succeeds or not . '' `` I 'm very glad , old fellow . When I run over for my trip four years from now , I 'll look you up , and see how you are getting on , '' said Gus , with a hearty shake of the hand ; and the younger lads grinned cheerfully , even while they wondered where the fun was in shaping clay and chipping marble . `` Shall you stay four years ? '' asked Merry 's soft voice , while a wistful look came into her happy eyes . `` Ten , if I can , '' answered Ralph , decidedly , feeling as if a long lifetime would be all too short for the immortal work he meant to do . `` I 've got so much to learn , that I shall do whatever David thinks best for me at first , and when I can go alone , I shall just shut myself up and forget that there is any world outside my den . '' `` Do write and tell us how you get on now and then ; I like to hear about other people 's good times while I 'm waiting for my own , '' said Molly , too much interested to observe that Grif was sticking burrs up and down her braids . `` Of course I shall write to some of you , but you must n't expect any great things for years yet . People do n't grow famous in a hurry , and it takes a deal of hard work even to earn your bread and butter , as you 'll find if you ever try it , '' answered Ralph , sobering down a little as he remembered the long and steady effort it had taken to get even so far . `` Speaking of bread and butter reminds me that we 'd better eat ours before the coffee gets quite cold , '' said Annette , for Merry seemed to have forgotten that she had been chosen to play matron , as she was the oldest . The boys seconded the motion , and for a few minutes supper was the all-absorbing topic , as the cups went round and the goodies vanished rapidly , accompanied by the usual mishaps which make picnic meals such fun . Ralph 's health was drunk with all sorts of good wishes ; and such splendid prophecies were made , that he would have far surpassed Michael Angelo , if they could have come true .
XXXXX gave him an order on the spot for a full-length statue of himself , and stood up to show the imposing attitude in which he wished to be taken , but unfortunately slipped and fell forward with one hand in the custard pie , the other clutching wildly at the coffee-pot , which inhospitably burnt his fingers .
Angelo Frank German Grif Merry Ralph errands independent minutes squirrels