Mr. Millet sat in his counting room, with his pen behind his ear,
examining his ledger. "Do?" said he concisely, by way of salutation, as
Ruth entered.
"I understand there is a vacancy in the 5th Ward Primary School,"
said Ruth; "can you tell me, as you are one of the Committee for that
district, if there is any prospect of my obtaining it, and how I shall
manage to do so."
"A-p-p-l-y," said Mr. Millet.
"When is the examination of applicants to take place?" asked Ruth.
"T-u-e-s-d-a-y," replied the statue.
"At what place?" asked Ruth.
"C-i-t-y--H-a-l-l," responded the wooden man, making an entry in his
ledger.
Ruth's heroic resolutions to ask him to use his influence in her behalf,
vanished into thin air, at this icy reserve; and, passing out into the
street, she bent her slow steps in the direction of Mr. Develin's. On
entering the door, she espied that gentleman through the glass door of
his counting-room, sitting in his leathern arm-chair, with his hands
folded, in an attitude of repose and meditation.
"Can I speak to you a moment?" said Ruth, lifting the latch of the door.
"Well--yes--certainly, Mrs. Hall," replied Mr. Develin, seizing a
package of letters; "it is an uncommon busy time with me, but yes,
certainly, if you have anything _particular_ to say."
Ruth mentioned in as few words as possible, the Primary School, and her
hopes of obtaining it, Mr. Develin, meanwhile, opening the letters and
perusing their contents. When she had finished, he said, taking his hat
to go out:
"I don't know but you'll stand as good a chance, Mrs. Hall, as anybody
else; you can apply. But you must excuse me, for I have an invoice of
books to look over, immediately."
Poor Ruth! And this was human nature, which, for so many sunny years of
prosperity, had turned to her only its _bright_ side! She was not to be
discouraged, however, and sent in her application.