ece."

"Humph! You needn't be so close about it. I'll bet I can find out."

"I have no doubt you can; only, you see, I don't want to tell what I am
not sure they would be willing I should tell."

Tom took a slate pencil from his pocket, and commenced ciphering on the
smooth rock upon which he sat.

"You say you sold fifty books?"

"Yes."

"Well; if you made fifteen dollars out of fifty, that is thirty cents
apiece."

Bobby was a little mortified when he perceived that he had unwittingly
exposed the momentous secret. He had not given Tom credit for so much
sagacity as he had displayed in his inquiries; and as he had fairly
reached his conclusion, he was willing he should have the benefit of it.

"You sold them at a dollar apiece. Thirty from a hundred leaves
seventy. They cost you seventy cents each--didn't they?"

"Sixty-seven," replied Bobby, yielding the point.

"Enough said, Bob; I am going into that business, any how."

"I am willing."

"Of course you are; suppose we go together," suggested Tom, who had not
used all this conciliation without having a purpose in view.

"We could do nothing together."

"I should like to get out with you just once, only to see how it is
done."

"You can find out for yourself, as I did."

"Don't be mean, Bob."

"Mean? I am not mean."

"I don't say you are. We have always been good friends, you know."

Bobby did not know it; so he looked at the other with a smile which
expressed all he meant to say.

"You hit me a smart dig the other day, I know; but I don't mind that.
I was in the wrong then, and I am willing to own it," continued Tom,
with an appearance of humility.

This was an immense concession for Tom to make, and Bobby was duly
affected by it. Probably it was the first time the bully had ever
owned he was in the wrong.

"The fact is, Bob, I always liked you; and you know I licked Ben Dowse
for you."

"That was two for yourself and one for me; besides, I didn't want Ben
thrashed."

"But he deserved it. Didn't he tell the master you were whispering in
school?"

"I was whispering; so he told the truth."

"It was mean to blow on a fellow, though."

"The master asked him if I whispered to him; of course he ought not to
lie about it. But he told of you at the same time."

"I know it; but I wouldn't have licked him on my own account."

"_Perhaps_ you wouldn't."

"I know I wouldn't. But, I say, Bobby, where do you buy your books?"

"At