Mr. Harold did not speak. He gazed at Connie sympathetically, and
shook his head.

"It's too much, that's what it is. And so I thought I'd just have to
take things into my own hands and borrow the money. I can get a good
coat for five dollars. But if the bank is a little short right now, I
can get along with four, or even three. I'd rather have the cheapest
coat in town, than one made out of father's. Do you think you can let
me have it?"

"Yes, indeed we can." He seemed to find his voice with an effort. "Of
course we can. We are very glad to lend our money to responsible
people. We are proud to have your trade."

"But I must tell you, that it may take me quite a while to pay it back.
Father gives me a nickel a week, and I generally spend it for candy.
There's another nickel, but it has to go in the collection, so I can't
really count that. I don't believe father would let me neglect the
heathen, even to pay for a winter coat! But I will give you the nickel
every week, and at that rate I can pay it back in a couple of years
easy enough. But I'd rather give the nickels as fast as I get them.
It's so hard to keep money when you can get your hand on it, you know.
Sometimes I have quite a lot of money,--as much as a quarter at a time,
from doing errands for the neighbors and things like that. I'll pay
you as fast as I can. Will that be all right? And the interest, too,
of course. How much will the interest be on five dollars?"

"Well, that depends on how soon you repay the money, Connie. But I'll
figure it out, and tell you later."