Mark laughed and went on his way.
"Wouldn't Edgar be surprised," he thought, "if he knew how large a sum I had on deposit with Mr. Rockwell? He thought I was joking when I was only telling the truth."
When Mark went home to his supper he said: "Mother, I want you to buy a new dress for yourself and one for Edith."
"There are a good many things we would like, Mark, but you must remember that we are not rich."
"Perhaps not, but I think you can afford new dresses. How much would they cost?"
"The material will cost from ten to twenty dollars. I could make them up myself."
"All right, mother. Here are twenty dollars."
"But, Mark, can you spare that amount? Our rent comes due next week."
"It is the last rent we shall pay here. We will move to better quarters."
"Really, Mark, I am afraid you are forgetting your prudence."