The hat was lifted and the count began.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven—for Mary Ogden," said Elder Holloway calmly.
"I declare!" said General Smith. "Unanimous? Why, gentlemen, we were agreed! There really was no difference of opinion whatever."
"I'm glad she is such a favorite," said Judge Edwards; "but we can't raise the salary on that account. It'll have to remain at forty dollars a month."
"I'm glad she's got it!" said Mr. Murdoch. "And a unanimous vote is a high testimonial!"
And so Mary was elected.
Each of them had other business to attend to, and it was not until Judge Edwards went home, at noon, that the news was known to Mary, for the Judge carried the pleasant tidings to Mary Ogden at the dinner-table.
"Oh, Judge Edwards!" exclaimed Mary, turning pale. "I? At my age—to be assistant principal of the academy?"
"There's only the Primary Department to teach," said the Judge encouragingly. "Not half so hard as that big, overgrown Sunday-school class. Only it never had a good teacher yet, and you'll have hard work to get it into order."
"What will they say in Crofield!" said Mary uneasily. "They'll say I'm not fit for it."