Presently Squire Chetwood was ushered in by Celestia Ann.
"Go on, Miss Mildred," he said as he took the seat Mr. Keith hastened to offer; "there's no greater treat for me than your music; and my errand will keep for a bit."
It proved, when told, one that rejoiced them all. It was to show to Mr. Keith a letter of acceptance from a gentleman teacher with whom they had been corresponding with a view to securing his services as principal of a school which they were trying to establish in the town. It was to be for both sexes, and the gentleman's wife would take charge of the girls' department.
"I send four pupils—Zillah, Ada, Cyril, and Don," said Mr. Keith, "thereby considerably lightening your labors, wife, and Mildred's, I trust."
The squire cleared his throat. "And then, Miss Mildred—Ah! I hardly dare go on lest you should think me presuming."
"But after exciting my curiosity you can hardly refuse to gratify it," Mildred returned playfully, though she knew very well what was coming.
Before the squire went away she had consented to take another music scholar, and the terms he offered were very liberal, she having declined to name a price for her services.
"Having accepted Claudina, you can hardly refuse Lu," her mother remarked when the squire had gone.
"No, mother; and how little time I shall have left for helping you!" sighed Mildred.
"Now, Milly, don't try to make yourself of so much importance!" cried Zillah in a gayly bantering tone. "Didn't mother do without you entirely last year? One would suppose Ada and I were of no consequence where work is concerned."