Part 32 (1/2)

Finally he said: ”I think it will be well to pay some attention to Mr.

Taylor. It may turn the scale. When you go to school to-morrow I will send by you an invitation to Mr. Taylor to dine with us.

We'll give him a good dinner and get him good-natured.”

So when Sam went to school in the morning he bore a note from his father, containing a dinner invitation.

”Say to your father that I will accept his invitation with pleasure,”

said the princ.i.p.al.

It was the first time he had received such a mark of attention from Mr. Archer, and, being a shrewd man, he understood at once what it signified.

”He's coming, father,” announced Sam, on his return home.

”Did he seem gratified by the invitation?”

”I couldn't tell exactly. He said he would accept with pleasure.”

”No doubt, he feels the attention,” said Mr. Archer pompously.

”He knows I am a man of prominence and influence, and the invitation will give him social status.”

Mr. Archer would have been offended if he had been told that the princ.i.p.al was more highly respected in town than himself, in spite of his wealth and fine house.

When the princ.i.p.al sat down to Mr. Archer's dinner table, he partook of a dinner richer and more varied than his modest salary enabled him to indulge in at home. Nevertheless, he had more than once been as well entertained by others, and rather annoyed Mr. Archer by not appearing to appreciate the superiority of the dinner.

”Confound the man! He takes it as coolly as if he were accustomed to dine as sumptuously every day,” thought Archer.

”I hope you are enjoying dinner, Mr. Taylor,” he said.

”Very much, thank you.”

”I rather plume myself on my cook. I venture to say that I pay five dollars a month more than any other person in Milltown. But I must have a good dinner. I am very particular on that score.”

”Have you a good cook, Mr. Taylor?” asked Mrs. Archer condescendingly.

”Why, the fact is, that we keep but one servant.”

”I suppose your salary will not permit you to keep more than one servant.”

”You are right, madam.”

”Really, Mr. Taylor, I think your salary ought to be increased,”

said Mr. Archer graciously. ”The laborer is worthy of his hire, eh?

I must see if I can't induce the town to vote you an increased compensation.”

”Thank you,” said the princ.i.p.al quietly. ”A larger salary would, of course, be acceptable, but I doubt whether the town will feel like voting it.”

”Rest easy,” said Mr. Archer pompously. ”I think I can bring it about.”