“You expected to be absent longer, did you not?”
“Yes, sir; but I accomplished the object of my journey, and had no inducement to remain longer.”
“As it’s over a fortnight before school begins, if you choose to give John private lessons, I shall be glad to have you do so,” said the general. “I will pay you five dollars a week.”
General Wall looked as if he expected his offer to be accepted with thanks. Surely it must be an object for an ill-paid school teacher like Walter to earn five dollars a week during his vacation.
“Will John be willing to study in vacation?” asked Walter.
“No doubt. I will see that he makes no objections.”
General Wall intended to obtain his son’s consent by the offer of a handsome present, knowing that the desire of improvement would not alone be sufficient. What was his surprise when Walter answered, “I shall be obliged to decline your proposal, General Wall!”
“You don’t care about working in vacation, perhaps, Mr. Howard? Or are you going off again on another journey?”
“I have a different reason, sir--a reason which will also oblige me to disappoint you about the school. I shall not be able to teach next term, but must ask you to find another teacher.”
“Really, Mr. Howard, I hope you are not in earnest,” said the general, surprised and disappointed. “Have you secured another position?”