heus stealing fire, little one." He didn''t lift his head, concentrating on the painting in front of him.
After a while, she pointed at another oil painting and asked, "What about this one?"
"That''s a political painting. You''re too young to understand." His voice remained monotone.
Such conversation repeated itself several times, until Edith began to find it tedious.
She finally stood in the center of the room, arms crossed, and sternly said to the painter, "Why do you always act like an old fogey?"
The painter was amazed. "Me?"
"Yes, you. You''re only five or six years older than me, right? About the same age as my cousin Philippe. But your eyes and your attitude make you seem like an old grandpa. I can see it."
The painter suddenly stood up, also with an austere expression. He walked towards Edith step by step.
"He''s not going to get enraged just at such a bit accusation, is he? Or did I unintentionally reveal some secret of his?" Edith felt kind of uneasy.
But he stopped in front of her.
"You have a pair of perceptive eyes." He leaned down to her, a spreading smile lit up his face. "Perhaps it would be a nice idea to bring you along for my next sketching trip."
Edith breathed a sigh of relief. This was the first time she had seen him smile. When he smiled, he finally looked like a real big kid just like her.
But she put on a solemn look again. "You’ve got to invite me."
The painter went blank for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Mademoiselle, would I have the honour of your guidance in sketching the sunset by the Seine tonight?" He made a pretty ceremonious bow.
"Out of town? Take a carriage to the outs□□?" Edith''s eyes sparkled.
"Look at this room, young lady. How could a struggling artist like me have so much spare money?" The painter gave her a wry smile. "Just in Rouen, this city is also new to me. Won''t you come? "
Edith''s lips drooped in disappointment at first, but her natural optimism soon brought a proud glow back to her cheeks.
"I know Rouen like the back of my hand. Let me show you all around this town!"
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As the sun began to set, Edith complacently walked hand in ha