"Say, mother," he said suddenly, "we can't do it. How much are you going
to spend on your clothes?"

"All I need," said his mother brightly.

"But how much?"

"I don't know."

"How much did you spend last year?"

"Oh, never mind, Lawrence; that really does not matter."

But the boy insisted. "Did you spend thirty-one dollars?" His mother
laughed at him.

"Did you spend twenty?"

"No."

"Did you spend fifteen?"

"I do not know," said his mother, "and I am not going to talk about it.
My clothes and the girls' clothes will be all right for this year."

"Mother," said Larry, "I am not going to school this year. I am not
going to spend thirty-one dollars for clothes while you and the girls
spend nothing. I am going to work first, and then go to school. I am not
going to school this year." The boy rose from his chair and stood and