Larkin did not smile at
her mistake. She was too much troubled at the news she had
just heard. A dollar a week may seem a ridiculous trifle to
some of my readers, but, where the entire income of the family
was so small, it was a matter of some consequence.
"I don't think Luke has heard anything of this," said the widow.
"He has not mentioned it to me."
"Perhaps there won't be any change, after all," said Melinda.
"I am sure Tim Flanagan wouldn't do near as well as Luke."
Miss Melinda was not entirely sincere. She had said to Mrs.
Flanagan that she quite agreed with her that Luke had been janitor
long enough, and hoped Tim would get the place. She was in the
habit of siding with the person she chanced to be talking with at
the moment, and this was pretty well understood.
Luke, however, had heard of this threatened removal. For this,
it may be said, Randolph was partly responsible. Just after
Mrs. Flanagan's call upon the squire to solicit his official
influence, Prince Duncan mentioned the matter to his son.
"How long has Luke Larkin been janitor at the schoolhouse?"
he asked.
"About a year. Why do you ask?"
"Does he attend to the duties pretty well?"
"I suppose so.
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