"So I will, to be sure," said Mrs. Reed, rubbing her hands and sinking into the chair which David had brought forward.
She gazed into the cheery flames, with her own bright-blue eyes, clear and steady. Then she looked straight up at David, who was in the act of filling the kettle and placing it on the top of the stove.
"David," she said, "stoop down a minute; I have a word or two to say."
David dropped on his knees at once, and put his hand on Grannie's shoulder.
"You aint likely to have a rise in your wages soon, are you, Dave?"
"Oh, yes, I am! arter a bit," he answered. "Mr. Groves is real pleased with me. He says I am a steady lad, and he often sets me to cast up accounts for him, and do little odds and ends of jobs. He says he has always railed against the School Board, but sometimes, when he sees how tidy I can write, and how well I can read and spell, he's inclined to change his mind."
"And what rise will he give?" said Grannie, whose mind was entirely fixed on the money part of the question.
"Well, maybe a shilling more a week, when the first year is out."
"And that 'll be——"
"Next March, Grannie; not so long coming round."