Mabel very soon found herself mistress of the situation. Experience goes for a good deal, but it does not always bring with it the power of managing boys and girls. Mabel seemed to possess this instinctively. Before the week was out, all was running smoothly in her department, a little to the disappointment of Miss Clarissa Bassett, who felt that the school should have been hers.
Mabel still boarded at the hotel. She was quietly on the look out for a more desirable boarding place.
Among her scholars was a little girl of nine, whose cheap dress indicated poverty, but who possessed a natural refinement, which in her was more marked than in any other pupil. Mabel inquired into her circumstances, and learned that her father had been an officer in the army, who had died soon after his marriage. All that he left to his widow was a small cottage, and a pension of twenty dollars a month to which his services entitled her. On this small sum, and a little additional earned by sewing, Mrs. Kent supported her family, which, besides Rose, included a boy two years younger, who was in Miss Bassett’s school. One afternoon Mabel walked home with Rose, and introduced herself to Mrs. Kent. She found her a delicate and really refined woman, such as she imagined Rose would grow to be in time. Everything in the house was inexpensive, but there were traces of good taste about the little establishment.
“I am glad to see you, Miss Frost,” said Mrs. Kent, with quiet cordiality. “I have heard of you continually from Rose, who is your enthusiastic admirer.”
“Rose and I are excellent friends,” said Mabel, smiling kindly on the little girl. “She never gives me any trouble.”
“I have never heard of any complaints from any of her teachers. One thing that I have heard surprises me, Miss Frost. You have wonderfully changed Ben Hadley, who had been the torment of previous teachers.”
Mabel smiled. “I like Ben,” she said. “From the first I saw that he had many good points. He was merely mischievous.”
“Merely?” repeated Mrs. Kent smiling.
“Mischief may give a good deal of trouble, but the spirit that leads to it may be turned into another channel. This I think I have done with Ben. I find him very bright when he exerts his abilities.
“You understand managing boys, I can see clearly. Yet I hear that this is your first school.”
“I have never entered a country school till I commenced teaching here.”
“Your success is wonderful.”
“Don’t compliment me prematurely, Mrs. Kent. Failure may yet be in store for me.”
“I think not.”
“And I hope not.”
“You are living at the hotel, I believe?”
“Only temporarily. I am looking for a pleasant boarding place.”
“Mrs. Breck might be willing to take you. She has boarded several teachers before.”
Mabel had met Mrs. Breck. She had the reputation of being a good housekeeper, but withal she was a virago, and her husband a long suffering victim of domestic tyranny. She was a thin little woman, with a shrewish face, who was seldom known to speak well of anybody.
“I don’t think I should enjoy boarding with Mrs. Breck,” said Mabel. “I’m sure I should like your house much better.”
You don’t know how plainly we live,” said Mrs. Kent. “I should like very much to have you here, but my table doesn’t compare with Mrs. Breck’s.”
“Let me make you a business proposition, Mrs. Kent,” said Mabel, straightforwardly. “I don’t pretend to be indifferent to a good table, and I know the small amount usually paid for a teacher’s board would not justify you in changing your style of living. I propose, if you will be kind enough to receive me, to pay you ten dollars a week as my share of the expenses.”
“Ten dollars ejaculated Mrs. Kent in utter amazement. “Why, Mrs. Breck only charges three.”
“But I would rather pay the difference and board with you.”
Excuse me, Miss Frost, but how can you? Your salary as teacher must be less than that.”
I see that I must tell you a secret, Mrs. Kent. I depend on your not making it public. I am quite able to live without touching a penny of my salary.”