r there wasn't anything in it except particulars of the work. He
quite started as he read it, and then he looked at me inquiring, and I
asked him if he had the kind of knowledge Artemas wanted. I supposed he
might have it, as he'd been to the new schools. It told in the letter
about the expenses, and what the pay would be, and where he would find
the free pass, and that he'd have to telegraph right off, and perhaps he
noticed he'd have to start to-night. Well, I guess he needn't care even
to thank me; for that look in his face was enough, and I shan't forget
it. He wanted to know was it Artemas thought of him. But before I could
answer, he saw somebody out in the street, and went to rushing out, only
he gave me another of those looks as he went, and said he'd see me
before he sent the telegraph, and would take any message from me to
Artemas.

* * * * *

I hadn't more than time to write this yesterday, when Mrs. Norris came
in to inquire about some garden seeds, but I guess she expected to find
out what Larkin Prince had been in for, for she was calling over at Mrs.
Carruthers'. I offered her some squash seeds, and took her out the back
way, through the garden, to show her how the squashes were likely to
spread. Last summer they were all over the garden. It seems the only
thing the boys let to grow.

She hadn't more than gone when Larkin came in. It was all settled, and
other things seemed to be settled too; for who should come in with him
but Clara Wylie, crying and smiling all at once. She had to come and
help Larkin to thank me because he had got the place. After he was gone
she came back for a little cry. She didn't seem to wonder that Larkin
was the one chosen, and supposed Artemas must have known all about him,
she said, as well as the company he is working for. They probably had
seen his name in the papers, she thought, when he graduated so honorably
from the school.

I didn't tell her that there wasn't any company; that Artemas never had
time to read that kind of thing in the newspapers, and would not have
noticed it if he had; and that he'd left it all to me.

I can't but say after it was all settled I had a kind of a turn myself,
to think that Sam might have gone just as well, and I had been standing
in his way.

* * * * *

I shall have to let down Lavinia's gowns full two inches this summer.
Lucky I put tucks in them all last year. Mrs. Carr