willing
to let it pass, and was resolved to give Congreve to understand that the
offense must not be repeated.

"Well, Philip," said Congreve, "our plan has succeeded."

"Yes," answered Philip, shortly.

"What's the matter? Aren't you satisfied yet?"

"Yes, as far as that goes; but I don't like the way you spoke to me."

"Go ahead! Let me know what it is you complain of."

"You called me a bully!"

"You are one, you know," said Congreve, frankly.

"No, I don't know it; and, what is more, I don't like to have any one
speak of me in that way!" returned Philip, irritably.

"Very likely not. People don't generally like to have their faults
alluded to."

"I tell you I am not a bully!"

"You are mistaken. You would bully me if I were a small boy and not your
superior in strength."

"At any rate, if you are my friend, you ought not to talk of me in that
way," said Philip, thinking it politic to change his tone.

"You want me to shut my eyes to your real character, then?"

"I don't want you to talk of me in an insulting manner."

"Not at all, my dear fellow. I said you were a bully, and so you are. I
meant no offense. The sons of rich men are sometimes puffed up with the
idea of their own importance, and your father is a rich man, at least
for a country place."

"He is a rich man for any place," said Philip, boastfully.

"I am glad to hear it, especially as it will make it easier for you to
pay me the trifling sum you owe me."

"Trifling sum!" ejaculated Philip. "You said it amounted to over
twenty-two dollars."

"So it does; but that is a trifling sum for the son of a very rich man.
Some persons would charge you for the little service I have done this
afternoon, but that I only did at the bidding of friendship."

"It was very kind of you," said Philip, uncomfortably; "but you mustn't
think because my father is rich I have plenty of money. The fact is, he
is very stingy with me, and if it wasn't for my mother I would only have
a dollar a week."

"It is very considerate of the old man, to be sure. You ought to have
five dollars a week."

"So I ought. If I only had I would be able to pay you up in a short
time."

"Why don't you suggest to your paternal relative to enlarge the
supplies?" suggested Congreve, knocking off the ashes from his cigar.

"I have," answered Philip, "and he always says that a dollar a week is
enough for a boy of my age."

"Parents are apt to have limited ideas on such subjec