“Oh, yes, we are quit intimate.”

“That’s right!” said his father, approvingly.  “I am glad you choose your friends so well.  That’s one of the principal reasons I have for sending you to an expensive school, to get you well launched into good society.”

“Yes, father, I understand,” said Tom.  “You won’t find me associating with common boys.  I hold my head a little too high for that, I can tell you.”

“That’s right, my boy,” said Mr. Stanton, with satisfaction.  “And now how much money do you want for this club of yours?”

“Well,” said Tom, hesitatingly, “thirty or forty dollars.”

“Isn’t that considerable?” said his father, surprised at the amount.

“Well, you see, father, I want to contribute as much as any of the boys.  It would seem mean if I didn’t.  There’s only a few of us to stand the expense, and we don’t want to let in any out of our own set.”

“That’s true,” said Mr. Stanton; “I approve of that.  It’s all very well to talk about democracy, but I believe in those of the higher orders keeping by themselves.”

“Then you’ll give the money, father?” said Tom, eagerly.

“Yes, Tom, there’s forty dollars.  It’s more than I ought to spare, but I am determined you shall stand as good a chance as any of your school-fellows.  They shan’t be able to say that your father stints you in anything that your position requires.”

“Thank you, father,” said Tom, pocketing the two twenty-dollar bills with great satisfaction.

The fact was that Tom’s assessment amounted to only twenty dollars, but he thought it would be a good excuse for getting more out of his father.  As to the extra money, Tom felt confident that he could find uses enough for it.  He had latterly, though but fourteen years of age, contracted the habit of smoking cigars; a habit which he found rather expensive, especially as he felt bound occasionally to treat his companions.  Then he liked, now and then, to drop in and get an ice-cream or some confectionery, and these little expenses counted up.

Mr. Stanton was a vain, worldly man.  He was anxious to obtain an entrance into the best society.  For this reason, he made it a point to send his children to the most expensive schools; trusting to their forming fashionable acquaintances, through whom his whole family might obtain recognition into those select circles for which he cherished a most undemocratic respect.  For this reason it was that, though not naturally liberal, he had opened his purse willingly at the demands of Mrs. Stanton and Tom.

“Well,” said Mrs. Stanton, after Tom’s little financial affair had been adjusted, “what are you going to write to this doctor?  Of course you won’t think of sending for your nephew?”

“By no means.  He is much better off where he is.  I shall write Dr. Kent that he is old enough to earn his own living, and I shall recommend that he be bound out to some farmer or mechanic in the neighborhood.  It is an imposition to expect, because I am tolerably well off, that it is my duty to support other people’s children.  My own are entitled to all I can do for them.”