"

"No, sir; I don't know."

"Your guardian, as you are aware, sent me a check for one hundred and
twenty five dollars. I have figured up how much of this sum is due to
me, and I find it to be one hundred and thirteen dollars and thirty
seven cents."

"Yes, sir," said Rodney indifferently.

"This leaves for you only eleven dollars and sixty three cents. You
follow me, do you not?"

"Yes, sir."

"Have you any money saved up from your allowance?"

"A few dollars only, sir."

"Ahem! that is a pity. You will need all you can raise. But of course
you did not anticipate what has occurred?"

"No, sir."

"I will throw off the thirty seven cents," said the principal
magnanimously, "and give you back twelve dollars."

"I would rather pay you the whole amount of your bill," said Rodney.

"Ahem! Well perhaps that would be more business-like. So you don't wish
to part with any of the jewelry, Ropes?"

"No, sir."

"I thought, perhaps, by way of helping you, I would take the earrings,
and perhaps the necklace, off your hands and present them to Mrs.
Sampson."

Rodney shuddered with aversion at the idea of these precious articles,
which had once belonged to his mother, being transferred to the stout
and coarse featured consort of the principal.

"I think I would rather keep them," he replied.

"Oh well, just as you please," said Dr. Sampson with a shade of
disappointment for he had no idea of paying more than half what the
articles were worth. "If the time comes when you wish to dispose of them
let me know."

Rodney nodded, but did not answer in words.

"Of course, Ropes," went on the doctor in a perfunctory way, "I am very
sorry for you. I shall miss you, and, if I could afford it, I would tell
you to stay without charge. But I am a poor man."

"Yes," said Rodney hastily, "I understand. I thank you for your words
but would not under any circumstances accept such a favor at your
hands."

"I am afraid you are proud, Ropes. Pride is--ahem--a wrong feeling."

"Perhaps so, Dr. Sampson, but I wish to earn my own living without being
indebted to any one."

"Perhaps you are right, Ropes. I dare say I should feel so myself. When
do you propose leaving us?"

"Some time tomorrow, sir."

"I shall feel sad to have you go. You have been here so long that
you seem to me like a son. But we must submit to the dispensations of
Providence--" and Dr. Sampson blew a vigorous blast upon his red silk
handkerchief. "I will