“How very prudent!” said Jem.
“Very proper,” said his mother.
“Well, be quick, or you’ll keep them waiting. It is well to be you,” said Jem. “I wish the high and mighty Phil Oswald would ask me to sail with him.”
“Perhaps he may; he is bringing the boat here. Mamma, I have some good news.”
The children gathered round to listen.
“That is why you came jumping over the fence, instead of coming round by the gate,” said Ned.
“Violet knows it!” said Jessie; “look at her face.”
“No, I don’t know it. I might, perhaps, guess it.”
It was no very wonderful news. Only that Mr Caldwell had reminded David that he had that day been a year in the office, and that next year his salary was to be raised. Not much. It did not seem a great sum even to Ned and Jessie. But it was worth a great deal more than the mere money value, because it implied that David was getting to understand his work, and that his employer knew it, and had confidence in him. The mother said something like this to him and to them all, and she was very much pleased.
“Our Davie will be a rich man some day!” said Jem. “I thought I was to be the rich man of the family, but it don’t look like it now.”