Harold rose from his seat.
"As you have no errand for me, Aunt Eliza, I will go," he said.
Mrs. Merton unlocked a drawer in a work table, took out a pocketbook, and extracted therefrom a ten-dollar-bill.
"You have asked me a favor, and I will grant it—for once," she said. "Here are ten dollars."
"Thank you," said Harold, joyfully.
"I won't even ask how you propose to spend it. I thought of doing so, but it would imply distrust, and for this occasion I won't show any."
"You are very kind, Aunt Eliza."
"I am glad you think so. You are welcome to the money."
Harold left the room in high spirits. He decided not to let his mother know that he had received so large a sum, as she might inquire to what use he intended to put it; and some of his expenditures, he felt pretty sure, would not be approved by her.
He left the house, and going downtown, joined a couple of friends of his own stamp. They adjourned to a billiard saloon, and between billiards, bets upon the game, and drinks, Harold managed to spend three dollars before suppertime.