"Mother, I don't feel I can discuss it any; I simply ask you: Will you
lend me three dollars and sixty cents?"

Mrs. Baxter laughed gently. "I don't think I could, Willie, but
certainly I should want to know what for."

"Mother, I am going on eighteen years of age, and when I ask for a
small sum of money like three dollars and sixty cents I think I might be
trusted to know how to use it for my own good without having to answer
questions like a ch--"

"Why, Willie," she exclaimed, "you ought to have plenty of money of your
own!"

"Of course I ought," he agreed, warmly. "If you'd ask father to give me
a regular allow--"

"No, no; I mean you ought to have plenty left out of that old junk and
furniture I let you sell last month. You had over nine dollars!'

"That was five weeks ago," William explained, wearily.

"But you certainly must have some of it left. Why, it was MORE than nine
dollars, I believe! I think it was nearer ten. Surely you haven't--"

"Ye gods!" cried the goaded William. "A person going on eighteen
years old ought to be able to spend nine dollars in five weeks without
everybody's acting like it was a crime! Mother, I ask you the simple
question: Will you PLEASE lend me three dollars and sixty cents?"

"I don't think I ought to, dear. I'm sure your father wouldn't wish
me to, unless you'll tell me what you want it for. In fact, I won't
consider it at all unless you do tell me."

"You won't do it?" he quavered.

She shook her head gently. "You see, dear, I'm afraid the reason you
don't tell me is because you know that I wouldn't give it to you if I
knew what you wanted it for."

This perfect diagnosis of the case so disheartened him that after a few
monosyllabic efforts to continue the conversation with dignity he gave
it up, and left in such a preoccupation with despondency that he passed
the surprised Jane in the hall without suspecting what she had been
doing.

That evening, after dinner, he addressed to his father an impassioned
appeal for three dollars and sixty cents, laying such stress of pathos
on his principal argument that if he couldn't have a dress-suit, at
least he ought to be given three dollars and sixty CENTS (the emphasis
is William's) that Mr. Baxter was moved in the direction of consent--but
not far enough. "I'd like to let you have it, Willie," he said, excusing
himself for refusal, "but your mother felt SHE oughtn't to do it unless
you'd say what you wanted it for, and I'