At this point one of the boys came to Mr. Crabb with a message from Socrates, desiring the usher to wait upon him at once.
CHAPTER XXIII. ANOTHER CHANCE FOR THE USHER.
Mr. Smith had been thinking it over. He had discharged Mr. Crabb in the anger of the moment, but after his anger had abated, he considered that it was not for his interest to part with him. Mr. Crabb was a competent teacher, and it would be well-nigh impossible to obtain another so cheap. Twenty dollars a month for a teacher qualified to instruct in Latin and Greek was certainly a beggarly sum, but Mr. Crabb’s dire necessity had compelled him to accept it. Where could he look for another teacher as cheap? Socrates Smith appreciated the difficulty, and decided to take Mr. Crabb back, on condition that he would make an apology to Jim.
To do Mr. Crabb justice, it may be said that he would not have done this even if he saw no chance of another situation. But this Mr. Smith did not know. He did observe, however, that the usher entered his presence calm, erect and appearing by no means depressed, as he had expected.
“You sent for me, sir?” said the usher interrogatively.
“Yes, Mr. Crabb. You will remember that I had occasion to rebuke you, when we last conferred together, for overstepping the limits of your authority?”
“I remember, Mr. Smith, that you showed anger, and found fault with me.”
“Exactly so.”
“Why doesn’t he ask to be taken back?” thought Socrates.