and
breaking the bread, which he pressed upon his guest, who partook of both
sparingly, keenly watching the boy the while.

"The rest is good," he said, as he caught the boy's eye, "the room cool
and pleasant, and these most refreshing. You will let me rest myself
awhile? I might like to see your father when he comes."

"Oh, of course," cried the boy. "Father will be very glad, I am sure.
We so seldom have anyone to see us here."

Quite unconsciously the boy went on chatting, little realising that he
was literally answering his visitor's questions and giving him a full
account of their life at the villa and farm.

He noted how sparingly his visitor ate and drank, and pressed him
hospitably to partake of more, but, after a few minutes, the guest
responded by smilingly waving the bread and wine aside.

"_Quantum sufficit_, my boy," he said; "but I will eat a few of your
grapes."

He broke off a tiny bunch, and went on talking as he glanced around.

"Your studies?" he said, pointing to the tablets and stylus. "And you
read?"

"Oh yes," said the boy. "My father teaches me. He is a great student."

"Indeed?" said the guest. "And are you a great student too?"

"No," cried Marcus, merrily; "only a great stupid boy!"

"Very," said the visitor, sarcastically. "Well, and what are you going
to be when you grow up?"

"Oh, a student too, and a farmer, I suppose."

"Indeed! Why, a big, healthy, young lad like you ought to be a soldier,
and learn to fight for his country, like a true son of Rome."

"Hah!" cried Marcus, flushing up and frowning, while the visitor watched
him intently.

"I knew just such a boy as you who grew up to be a general, a great
soldier as well as a student who could use his pen."

"Ah, that's what I should like to be," cried the boy, springing from his
seat with his eyes flashing, as his imagination seemed fired. "That's
what Serge says."

"What does Serge say?" asked the visitor.

"Just what you do," cried the boy, boldly; "that I might grow up to be a
great soldier, and still read and use my pen."

"Well, why not?" said the guest, as he slowly broke off and ate a grape.

The boy frowned and shook his head.

"It is a man's duty to be ready to draw his sword for his country like a
brave citizen, and that country's son," continued the guest, warmly,
while the boy watched him eagerly, and leaned forward with one hand
resting upon the table as if he was drinking in every word th