Denton looks up from the page he had just finished coping and sighed heavily. Why did this book have so many illustrations to copy. He never liked to copying illustrations. It wasn't that he had no talent for it, but he was seldom happy with the final product even if Luther thought it well done.
Denton decided to glance out the window to find the position of the sun. Maybe he could put off the job til tomorrow pleading he wouldn't be able to finish it today. Luther always had need for messages to be delivered or other small task, and that was preferable to having to stay late to finish the illustration by candle light.
Denton resolved himself to ask. The worse that could happen was Luther would ask him to do the illustration. As distasteful as staying late would be, Luther had been an excellent boss, and a better friend. It would be a small price to repay some of the kindnesses that Luther had lavished upon him. Standing from his seat he scan the area for Luther and saw him sitting at his desk reading. When he had reached the desk he politely cleared his throat to gain his attention.
"I have reached a particularly detail illustration that I would prefer to start tomorrow if you could find some other task you have need of."
Denton gazed hopefully towards Luther hoping that he would be granted this small mercy.