Mrs. Comstock went into
the waiting-room and dropped into a seat to rest. Her heart was so sore
her whole left side felt tender. She was half starved for the food she
had no appetite to take. She had worked in dogged determination until
she was exhausted. For a time she simply sat and rested. Then she began
to think. She was glad Elnora had gone where she would be compelled to
fix her mind on other matters for a few days. She remembered the girl
had said she wanted to go.
School would begin the following week. She thought over what Elnora
would have to do to accomplish her work successfully. She would be
compelled to arise at six o'clock, walk three miles through varying
weather, lead the high school orchestra, and then put in the remainder
of the day travelling from building to building over the city, teaching
a specified length of time every week in each room. She must have her
object lessons ready, and she must do a certain amount of practising
with the orchestra. Then a cold lunch at noon, and a three-mile walk at
night.
"Humph!" said Mrs. Comstock, "to get through that the girl would have to
be made of cast-iron. I wonder how I can help her best?"
She thought deeply.
"The less she sees of what she's been having all summer, the sooner
she'll feel better about it," she muttered.
She arose, went to the bank and inquired for the cashier.
"I want to know just how I am fixed here," she said.
The cashier laughed.
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