"There's no standing against Mr. Drummond," put in another.
So many things were said about the manager's power of "leading whoever he chose with his little finger," that for once in his life, Adam had a feeling of almost dislike towards the object of so much praise. Though he did not say as much, he made up his mind not to be talked to or driven into anything, by the cleverest manager that ever lived.
Adam was almost painfully conscious of Mr. Drummond's great abilities and intimate knowledge of the duties he had undertaken. He thought he had long ago subdued anything like envy of those who were better taught, and the hope of rising beyond his monotonous work. Mr. Drummond's position seemed to reproach Adam, for, as a boy, the manager had been no better off than himself. But he had conquered opposing circumstances, whilst Adam had yielded to them, and been beaten down at every point. It hurt the man to know this, and he took every opportunity of avoiding Mr. Drummond. He succeeded in doing this while at his work, but met the person he least wished to see when and where he least expected to find him.
[CHAPTER V.]
THE NEW MANAGER TAKES ADAM UNAWARES.
IT was Saturday afternoon and Adam Livesey had taken charge of all his children except the eldest, who was staying at home to fetch and carry and to be made generally useful during the weekly "cleaning up" for Sunday. The one left behind cast longing glances after the little troop who, under father's convoy, were being taken out of mother's way. It was rather hard lines for the solitary little damsel, who would have so enjoyed a run in the park with the rest, but who, being ten years old and the eldest of six, mostly boys, paid the penalty of being a sort of household drudge.
The mother could hardly be blamed for this, since, as she truly said, her own work was never done, and in the pinched face and often peevish tones of Mrs. Livesey there was not much to remind any one of rosy-checked Maggie Allison. But she might have made her willing little helper much happier, if she had only led the child instead of driving her, and given kind words in place of perpetual fault-finding.
As to Adam, he silently rejoiced in being able to take so many of the youngsters into the somewhat grimy enclosure called the "People's Park." There was plenty of space for play, the air was as fresh as any in the neighbourhood, and there were swings, trees and flowers, though to pluck a leaf or blossom with clean gloves on would have destroyed their purity for ever.
However, the park was not so much for the clean-gloved people, so that mattered little; and it was a vast source of enjoyment to many whose hands were innocent of covering, and alas! their feet too, in many cases.
Before lifting the baby in his strong arms, Adam whispered a promise in the ears of Maggie junior, which brought a flush of gladness to her rueful face, and would do much to cheer her during her hours of toil. Then he went off to the park with his youthful following.