ragamuffin, it was not my fault."

Major Norton looked disturbed.

"Oscar was inconsiderate," he said. "It seems to me that your
clothes are suitable to your station in life. It is not well for a
boy in your circumstances to be 'clothed in purple and fine linen,'
as the Scriptures express it. However, perhaps it is time for you to
have another suit."

Joe listened in astonishment. Was it possible that Major Norton was
going to open his heart and give him what he had long secretly
desired?

Our hero's delusion was soon dissipated.

Major Norton rose from his seat, and took from a chair near-by a
stained suit, which had not yet attracted Joe's attention.

"Here is a suit of Oscar's," he said, "which is quite whole and
almost new. Oscar only wore it a month. It cost me thirty-four
dollars!" said the major impressively.

He held it up, and Joe recognized it at once.

"Isn't it the suit Oscar got stained?" he asked abruptly.

"Ahem! Yes; it is a little stained, but that doesn't injure the
texture of the cloth."