So when Sam went to school in the morning he bore a note from his father, containing a dinner invitation.
"Say to your father that I will accept his invitation with pleasure," said the principal.
It was the first time he had received such a mark of attention from Mr. Archer, and, being a shrewd man, he understood at once what it signified.
"He's coming, father," announced Sam, on his return home.
"Did he seem gratified by the invitation?"
"I couldn't tell exactly. He said he would accept with pleasure."
"No doubt, he feels the attention," said Mr. Archer pompously. "He knows I am a man of prominence and influence, and the invitation will give him social status."
Mr. Archer would have been offended if he had been told that the principal was more highly respected in town than himself, in spite of his wealth and fine house.
When the principal sat down to Mr. Archer's dinner table, he partook of a dinner richer and more varied than his modest salary enabled him to indulge in at home. Nevertheless, he had more than once been as well entertained by others, and rather annoyed Mr. Archer by not appearing to appreciate the superiority of the dinner.
"Confound the man! He takes it as coolly as if he were accustomed to dine as sumptuously every day," thought Archer.