Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more likely to
get an answer from him than from Rodney. He walked away triumphantly,
feeling that he had made a discovery that might prove of advantage to
him.

"Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?" asked little Arthur.

"I have known him for some time."

"I don't like him very much."

"Why?" asked Rodney with some curiosity.

"I don't know," answered the little boy slowly. "I can't like
everybody."

"Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am
not particular about your liking him. I hope you like me."

"You know I do, Rodney," and he gave Rodney's hand an assuring pressure.

Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The
intimacy between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of
business considerations.

Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store,
Jasper felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they
met he treated him with marked coldness.

On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his
best suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one half worn and
soiled.

"Hello!" exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.

"Stop!" said Philip, looking offended.

"I am in a hurry," returned Jasper. "I can't stop today."

"You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?"

"Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake."

"I'll go along with you."

Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.

"Wouldn't another day do?"

"No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,"

"You usually are," sneered Jasper.

"That is so. I have been out of luck lately."

"I am sorry, but I can't help it as I see."

"How much money do you think I have in my pocket?"

"I don't know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums."

"Just ten cents."

"That isn't much," said Jasper, indifferently.

"Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!"

"You seem to think I am made of money," said Jasper sharply. "I haven't
got much more myself."

"Then you might have. You get a good salary."

"Only seven dollars."

"You are able to keep most of it for yourself."

"Suppose I am? You seem to know a good deal of my affairs."

"Haven't you any pity for an old friend?"

"Yes, I'll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to money
it's a different matter. Here you are, a man of twenty six, ten years
older than me, and yet you expect me to he