"Now, mother," he said, "get on your bonnet and shawl, and we'll go out shopping."
"Won't you take me too, Paul?" asked Jimmy.
"To be sure I will. I am going to buy you a suit of clothes, Jimmy."
The little boy clapped his hands. New clothes were a rarity to him, and the purchase of a new suit, therefore, would be a memorable event.
I do not propose to detail Paul's purchases. They consisted of new suits for Jimmy and himself, and a complete outfit of under garments, closing with the purchase of two plain, substantial trunks. Mrs. Hoffman deferred her own shopping till Monday.
When, later in the day, the various articles arrived, Paul regarded them with much complacency.
"It looks as if we were getting up in the world," he said.
"You deserve to succeed, Paul," said his mother. "You have been industrious and faithful, and God has prospered you."
"I have had a good mother to encourage me," said Paul, "or I should not have done so well."
"You are right to say that, Paul," said Mrs. Norton. "It isn't every boy that has a good mother."