or a motorcycle," Peter declared. "Then I could ride
to the tannery every day."

"So you could," agreed Mr. Coddington. "It is not a bad idea. Don't
forget, though, that you will be needing clothes now and then. You spoke
last night of wanting some flannel shirts to wear to work."

"Yes, but you----"

Mr. Coddington shook his head.

"I have bought your clothes up to this time," he answered, "but now that
you have a salary of your own it is time you relieved me of that
expense."

"Oh--of--of--course," Peter stammered. "I guess, though, I can get the
motorcycle and pay for my clothes, too, without any trouble. How much do
clothes cost?"

"Let me see!" Mr. Coddington took out a small expense book and turned
its pages rapidly. "Clothing for Peter. Here it is. Last year I spent
for you $638."

"For me! For my clothes?" gasped the boy. "Did I spend $638? Why, I had
no idea of it! I could have gone without some of those overcoats and
things as well as not if I had known they cost so much. That's an awful
lot for a boy to spend, isn't it?"

"It's a plenty."

"Why, it's more than I will earn in a whole year."

"Yes, I am afraid it is--at least, for the present."

Peter was thoughtful.

"I can see that it's good-bye to the motorcycle," he said at last,
disappointment in every feature.

With an impulsive gesture Mr. Coddington thrust his hand into the breast
pocket where his check-book lay; then resolutely took out the hand and
put it behind him.

"There seems to be no way but for you to do without a motorcycle for a
while, son," he replied. "Do not be discouraged, though. You are now
pretty well stocked with the necessary clothing and in consequence will
not require many new things for some time. If you are not too proud to
wear your old suits to work you can easily put aside some money each
week."

"I do not care how old and shabby my clothes are," smiled Peter. "It
does not make much difference what I wear to the tannery if I can just
have some flannel shirts, overalls, and rubber boots. I've packed away
my white tennis suits in moth-balls, you know, since I went into the
mill."

They both laughed.

As flannel shirts and overalls were inexpensive and easily obtained,
and as Peter already had rubber boots it was possible to begin the
saving for the motorcycle without further delay.

In the meantime orders came that Strong was to leave his task of
trimming skins and present himself at the beamhouse. Relu