The situation was vacant; perhaps she could get it; certainly her education _ought_ to qualify her to satisfy any "School Committee." Ruth inquired who they were; one was her cousin, Mr. Millet, the wooden man; one was Mr. Develin, the literary bookseller; the two others were strangers. Mr. Millet and Mr. Develin! and both aware how earnestly she longed for employment! Ruth looked at her children; yes, for their sake she would even go to the wooden man, and Mr. Develin, and ask if it were not possible for her to obtain the vacant Primary School. CHAPTER L. Mr. Millet sat in his counting room, with his pen behind his ear, examining his ledger. "Do?" said he concisely, by way of salutation, as Ruth entered. "I understand there is a vacancy in the 5th Ward Primary School," said Ruth; "can you tell me, as you are one of the Committee for that district, if there is any prospect of my obtaining it, and how I shall manage to do so." "A-p-p-l-y," said Mr. Millet. "When is the examination of applicants to take place?" asked Ruth. "T-u-e-s-d-a-y," replied the statue. "At what place?" asked Ruth. "C-i-t-y--H-a-l-l," responded the wooden man, making an entry in his ledger. Ruth's heroic resolutions to ask him to use his influence in her behalf, vanished into thin air, at this icy reserve; and, passing out into the street, she bent her slow steps in the direction of Mr. Develin's. On entering the door, she espied that gentleman through the glass door of his counting-room, sitting in his leathern arm-chair, with his hands folded, in an attitude of repose and meditation. "Can I speak to you a moment?" said Ruth, lifting the latch of the door. "Well--yes--certainly, Mrs. Hall," replied Mr. Develin, seizing a package of letters; "it is an uncommon busy time with me, but yes, certainly, if you have anything _particular_ to say." Ruth mentioned in as few words as possible, the Primary School, and her hopes of obtaining it, Mr. Develin, meanwhile, opening the letters and perusing their contents. When she had finished, he said, taking his hat to go out: "I don't know but you'll stand as good a chance, Mrs. Hall, as anybody else; you can apply. But you must excuse me, for I have an invoice of books to look over, immediately." Poor Ruth! And this was human nature, which, for so many sunny years of prosperity, had turned to her only its _bright_ side! She was not to be discouraged, however, and sent in her application. CHAPTER LI. Examination day came, and Ruth bent her determined steps to the City Hall. The apartment designated was already crowded with waiting applicants, who regarded, with jealous eye, each addition to their number as so much dimunition of their own individual chance for success.