DECISIVE HOURS 15 



" I can, father — my soul shows me what I can do, 

 what I can be and what I ought to do." 



" What, my son? " 



" To be an American artist. To be that I would be 

 willing to suffer, and to do perfect work I would sacrifice 

 anything, and I would be true to the work to which God 

 calls me." 



" You would be willing to sacrifice — to give up — to 

 suffer? Oh, my boy, you disappoint me; and yet — and yet 

 ought I not to be grateful to Heaven for a child with a 

 gift like yours? " 



The Knitter bowed her head. 



Captain Audubon sat for some time in silence. He, 

 too, loved America. To paint America would be a noble 

 calling. 



" My boy," he said at last, " it may be that your 

 calling comes from within. You may go to America, 

 your own beloved America, if you wish, and my bless- 

 ing shall go with you. To picture America is a noble 

 thought — next to being a soldier. And your aspiration 

 to do work that will receive the gratitude of a king is 

 also a noble one. You are a noble boy, but if ever your 

 work receives the signature of a king bring it to me, 

 and we will lock hands when you and I are older than 

 now. Wherever you are and whatever you may be, do 

 perfect work." 



" Father, I love you. I will be true to you, and that 



