I talked it over with the other trustees, wrote to Sam Barstow, and he's agreeable, and has sent somebody up, and," he rapidly consulted his watch, "he ought to be here now; and I'm on my way to meet him with the other trustees." Mrs.Martin, who at once recognized her visitor as the Chairman of the School Board, received the abrupt information with the slight tremulousness, faint increase of color, and hurried breathing of a nervous woman.
"But," she said, "it was only a SUGGESTION of mine, Mr.Sperry; I really have no right to ask--I had no idea"-- "It's all right, ma'am,--never you mind.

We put the case square to Barstow.

We allowed that the school was getting too large for you to tackle,--I mean, you know, to superintend single-handed; and that these Pike County boys they're running in on us are a little too big and sassy for a lady like you to lasso and throw down--I mean, to sorter control--don't you see?
But, bless you, Sam Barstow saw it all in a minit! He just jumped at it.

I've got his letter here--hold on"-- he hastily produced a letter from his pocket, glanced ever it, suddenly closed it again with embarrassed quickness, yet not so quickly but that the woman's quicker eyes were caught, and nervously fascinated by the expression "I'm d----d" in a large business hand--and said in awkward haste, "No matter about reading it now--keep you too long--but he's agreed all right, you know.

Must go now--they'll be waiting.