“You wouldn’t. This suit of Grant’s will wear like iron.”
“It’s all foolish extravagance. Rodney, my grandson, offered to give him one of his old cast-off suits.”
“Probably Grant thought he would prefer a new one.”
“Mr. Tarbox, you need a new suit yourself. You’d better let me make you one. You don’t want your step-son to outshine you.”
“I’ll see about it. I can make the old one do a little longer.”
When Mr. Tarbox got home he at once tackled his wife.
“Mrs. T.,” he said, “I’m surprised at your letting Grant order a twenty-dollar suit. Truly a fool and his money are soon parted, as the saying is.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Tarbox, and I’ll thank you not to call me a fool,” she added, with a flash of spirit.
“You mean to say you haven’t authorized Grant to order a twenty-dollar suit at Mr. Shick’s?”
“Grant hasn’t asked me to buy him a suit?”
“Well, he’s ordered one, for Mr. Shick told me so. It aint possible that he’s going to trust that boy. I don’t understand it.”
“Nor do I. I will speak to Grant about it.”
Mrs. Tarbox felt anxious, for the story seemed strange and almost incredible. It did not seem like Grant, but still she knew that he was very anxious to have a new suit. She would have been willing to advance ten dollars to buy him a ready-made one, but twenty dollars in her circumstances would be extravagant.
“Grant,” she said, “have you ordered a suit at Mr. Shick’s?”
“How could you be so inconsiderate? Mr. Tarbox will not pay for it, and I cannot afford to pay so high a price.”
“Don’t be worried, mother,” said Grant quietly, “_I shall pay for it myself_.”
CHAPTER VI. SETH TARBOX MAKES A DISCOVERY.
Two pairs of eyes were fixed upon Grant in wonderment—those of his mother and Mr. Tarbox.
“Are you crazy, Grant Colburn?” asked Mr. Tarbox.
“Do you mean to say you have got twenty dollars to pay for your suit?”
“Do you know, Grant, that I, as your step-father, and natural guardian, have a right to make you tell?”
“No, I don’t. At any rate, I shan’t tell.”
“You’re getting dreadful contrary lately, Grant. Mrs. T., I think we are going to have trouble with that boy. Of course Mr. Shick won’t be paid, and he’ll send in his bill to you or me likely. He can’t make us pay, for he has trusted a minor without consultin’ his parents or guardians. I wash my hands of the matter.”
