CHAPTER V.
THE FATHER PREACHES AND THE SON PRACTICES.
That afternoon, Willie was at Sunday-school long before the time. He had a plan.
“I’ll tell you what, boys,” said he, “let’s not give Mr. Marble anything this year; and let’s ask him not to give us anything. Let’s get him to put the money he would use for us with the money we should spend on a present for him, and give it to buy coal for Old Aunt Parm’ly.”
“I mean to spend all my money on soft gum drops and tarts,” said Tommy Puffer; “they’re splendid!” and with that he began, as usual, to roll his soft lips together in a half chewing, half sucking manner, as if he had a half dozen cream tarts under his tongue, and two dozen gum drops in his cheeks.
“Tommy,” said stumpy little Sammy Bantam, “it’s a good thing you didn’t live in Egypt, Tommy, in the days of Joseph.”
“Why?” asked Tommy.