The Charm School
Bevans's letter was frankly portentous. It was not that Bevans's manner altered, though there may have been a slight change in the rhythm of his breathing, but somehow David knew at once that the letter contained something of supreme importance. So, being a good friend, he said nothing, but sat watching Bevans out of the corner of his eye as a dog watches his master to see if he is going to be taken for a walk.
Having read the letter twice, Bevans raised his eyes, shining with excitement, and said:
"Dave, I've inherited a school."
"A school? An automobile school?"
"No, a girls' boarding-school."
"A what?" said David, who had heard perfectly.
"You see before you," answered his friend, "the principal of the well-known fashionable school—the Bevans Boarding-school for Young Ladies."
"Well, next to inheriting the Sultan's harem, I can't think of anything pleasanter. Now let's have the facts."
But almost all the available facts were already before him. Bevans had not even seen the announcement of his aunt-by-marriage's death in the papers a few weeks
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