Nance let him get off the back platform; then she put her head out of the window.
"You tell him," she called, "that he can't kill two birds with one stone!"
CHAPTER XXIV
BACK AT CLARKE'S
The promotion of Uncle Jed from the bed to a pair of crutches brought about two important changes in the house of Snawdor. First, a financial panic caused by the withdrawal of his insurance money, and, second, a lightening of Nance's home duties that sent her once more into the world to seek a living.
By one of those little ironies in which life seems to delight, the only opportunity that presented itself lay directly in the path of temptation. A few days after her interview with Monte Pearce, Dan came to her with an offer to do some office work at the bottle factory. The regular stenographer was off on a vacation, and a substitute was wanted for the month of September.
"Why, I thought you'd be keen about it," said Dan, surprised at her hesitation.
"Oh! I'd like it all right, but—"
"You needn't be afraid to tackle it," Dan urged. "Mr. Clarke's not as fierce as he looks; he'd let you go a bit slow at first."
"He wouldn't have to! I bet I've got as much speed now as the girl he's had. It's not the work."