“Yes, sir; will you come in?”
“I would like to see him a few minutes.”
He was ushered into the sitting-room, and General Wall soon made his appearance.
“Good-evening, Mr. Barclay,” he said, in his usual patronizing way, “I am glad to see you. Nothing wrong at the school, I hope?”
“No, sir; there is nothing wrong at the school; but it is about the school I have come to speak.”
“Any advice, ahem! which I can give, will be freely tendered. This is, of course, incumbent upon me in the official position which I hold, but I feel an additional interest as a parent.”
“You haven’t much reason as a parent to feel proud,” thought Allen Barclay; but there are some thoughts that are best unspoken.
“I am afraid, General Wall, that I shall be compelled to give up the school!”
“What!” exclaimed General Wall, in surprise. “Have you any cause of dissatisfaction? Are you not content with the salary?”
“I don’t complain of that, but I find that the climate does not agree with my health.”