"Just so. As long as your husband was alive, I didn't want to step
into his shoes."

"But you are willing to step into mine," said Mrs. Carr, smiling
faintly.

"Just so--that is, the gov'ment appear to think a man ought to be in
charge of so responsible a position."

"I shall be glad if you manage the office better than I have done."

"You see, ma'am, it stands to reason that a man is better fitted for
business than a woman," said Ebenezer Graham, in a smooth tone for
he wanted to get over this rather awkward business as easily as
possible. "Women, you know, was made to adorn the domestic circles,
et cetery."

"Adorning the domestic circle won't give me a living," said Mrs.
Carr, with some bitterness, for she knew that but for the grasping
spirit of the man before her she would have been allowed to retain
her office.

"I was comin' to that," said the new postmaster. "Of course, I
appreciate your position as a widder, without much means, and I'm
going to make you an offer; that is, your boy, Herbert."

Herbert looked up from a book he was reading, and listened with
interest to hear the benevolent intentions of the new postmaster."