“Oh, it won’t hurt his conscience,” said Tom laughing. “At any rate it ought not.”
“I think the tone you employ is hardly appropriate, as you are going to ask a favor.”
“What is it?” asked James, who felt rather curious, and had no idea what Tom meant. If he had he would not have felt so complacent.
“Why,” said Tom, “I feel a little delicate, but as I am leaving Plympton, and am likely to need the money, I should like to have James pay me the money I have lent him at different times.”
James flushed and looked uncomfortable. His father asked hastily:
“James, have you borrowed money of Thomas?”
“I borrowed a trifle on two or three occasions,” James admitted reluctantly.
“A trifle! How much?”
“Here is the statement,” said Tom. “It amounts to fifteen dollars and a half altogether.”
“It can’t be!” said James.