The man came back to Burnsville completely bamboozled. Hiram was present in Mr. Burns's office when this report was made. Mr. Burns received it in silence. He saw at once how his messenger had been over-reached.
When the latter left the office he turned toward Hiram and said:
'I want to ask an especial favor of you,' said Hiram.
'I want you to permit me to go to New-York and try what I can do.'
'I can not say I have. It would depend on circumstances.'
'Have you confidence in achieving something?'
'I have sufficient to induce me to wish to make the attempt.'
'Very well; come to my house after tea and we will look over the papers.'
Mr. Burns started to leave the office; he opened the door and was half out; then he turned.
'By the way, Meeker, come and take tea with me; we will then be ready to go at once into the accounts.'
The door closed and Hiram was left alone. What a moment of triumph, as he regarded it!
'_Invited_ to the house at last! I knew I should fetch it. Let us see ... very good.... Now, young lady....'
The murmurings finally became inaudible as Hiram rose and walked up and down the room, stopping occasionally, and then starting rapidly on.
Mr. Burns proceeded homeward, quite unconscious of the excitement he had raised in Hiram's breast. Always considerate and just, it occurred to him since he had requested the young man to come to his house on business, thus breaking over his usual rule, that he ought to ask him to tea, and accordingly he did so. He announced the fact to Sarah as he entered the house. He was too much preöccupied to observe a slight flush rise to her cheeks as he spoke. She, however, only replied:
'Yes; Stevens has returned from New-York, accomplishing nothing. I am going to send Meeker. We are to look over matters this evening.'
'Indeed, Do you think he can do better than Stevens?'
'Yes, I think so. Besides, he wants to go. He volunteered to go.'
'I am sure I don't know; it seems strange.'
'Perhaps it does; but I confess I have a great deal of confidence that he will bring something about.'
That evening the appearance of the table was slightly changed--not enough to attract Mr. Burns's attention, but there was a greater display of silver than usual, and a nicer regard to arrangement. The same might be said of Sarah herself. The casual observer would not notice it, one of her own sex would.