“Did you go to the races? Of course you must have, to judge by your costume.”
“Yes, I went,” replied Noddy. “I rode in one, just as a sort of practice. I didn’t try to win. I only wanted to get in form. But say, father,” he went on rapidly, “I need some money.”
“Money!” exclaimed Mr. Nixon, laying aside the book he had been reading, and looking over the tops of his spectacles. “Money? Why do you know how much you have had in the last month?”
“Not so much,” replied Noddy.
For answer Mr. Nixon rapidly turned over the pages of a memorandum book. When he came to a certain page he stopped and began adding up some figures.
“The total, since the middle of last month, when I began keeping the account, to the present time, which is just about four weeks of time, is three hundred and seventy-five dollars,” said Mr. Nixon.
“I had no idea it was so much,” muttered Noddy.
“And now you want more?”
“I must have about two hundred dollars, father.”
“Two hundred dollars! Great Scott, young man! do you think money grows on trees? What do you want with two hundred dollars? Are you going to start in business?”